Bubble Up Enchilada Bake

Savor the Simplicity: Your New Favorite Ground Beef and Black Bean Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole

In the bustling rhythm of modern life, finding dinner solutions that are both incredibly delicious and remarkably easy can feel like discovering a hidden treasure. For many home cooks, the quest for such a culinary gem often leads to two cherished categories: “Easy Weeknight Meals” and “Casseroles.” This extraordinary Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole masterfully ticks both boxes, delivering a burst of vibrant Mexican flavors in a comforting, family-friendly dish that will undoubtedly become a staple in your recipe rotation. Imagine succulent ground beef and hearty black beans mingling with rich enchilada sauce, all nestled beneath golden, fluffy biscuits and melted cheese. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes, and it’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it the ideal candidate for those busy evenings when you crave something special without the fuss.

Contents

The Undeniable Appeal of Mexican Comfort Food

There’s an undeniable magic to Mexican cuisine. Its bold spices, fresh ingredients, and satisfying combinations consistently bring joy to the table. From sizzling fajitas to savory tacos and, of course, classic enchiladas, these dishes are synonymous with warmth, gathering, and pure culinary delight. This Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole captures that beloved spirit perfectly. It’s a twist on a classic, offering all the rich, savory notes of traditional enchiladas but with an innovative biscuit “bubble up” base that simplifies the process and adds an irresistible textural element. Forget the tedious rolling of tortillas; this recipe embraces ease and efficiency without compromising on that authentic, zesty Mexican flavor profile we all adore.

A Culinary Discovery: From The Hobo Kitchen to Your Table

This fantastic recipe comes courtesy of The Hobo Kitchen, a culinary blog by Ellie, whose incredible talent and diverse recipes I had the pleasure of exploring during my November assignment for The Secret Recipe Club. The Secret Recipe Club is a wonderful community where food bloggers are assigned another blog to cook from, offering a delightful way to discover new culinary voices and expand one’s own repertoire. I was particularly thrilled to be assigned Ellie’s blog, as her creations often catch my eye on reveal days. Born in the Bahamas and moving to the U.S. at 16, Ellie now resides in Hoboken, NJ – the inspiration behind her blog’s charming name. Since 2008, she has been sharing a wide array of recipes, each more tempting than the last. Choosing just one was a genuine challenge! My attention was fiercely competed for by her invigorating Pineapple Sangria, the truly authentic Bahamian Rum Cake, and her elegant Prosciutto Wrapped Apples. However, I kept finding myself drawn back to the innovative concept of her Bubble Up Enchiladas.

Ellie’s original recipe was brilliant, and I made a couple of minor adjustments to suit my family’s preferences and add my own touch. Instead of chicken, I opted for savory ground beef, and I swapped corn for robust black beans, resulting in an equally delicious and satisfying variation. The beauty of a dish like this lies in its adaptability, allowing for personal touches while maintaining its core appeal. This discovery through The Secret Recipe Club not only introduced me to a fantastic blogger but also gifted me with a recipe that quickly became a household favorite.

The “Bubble Up” Secret: Refrigerator Biscuits

The magic of “Bubble Up” casseroles comes from using canned refrigerated biscuits as the foundation. This ingenious shortcut transforms what could be a time-consuming meal into a quick assembly task. For this enchilada bake, you simply cut the biscuits into quarters and arrange them in the bottom of your baking dish. As the casserole bakes, these biscuit pieces rise and puff up, becoming wonderfully soft, slightly chewy, and infused with the rich flavors of the enchilada sauce and savory filling. They act as a comforting, bread-like vehicle for all the deliciousness, soaking up every drop of flavor and adding a delightful texture contrast to the meaty, cheesy layers above. It’s an unexpected yet incredibly effective foundation that truly elevates the entire dish.

Assembling Your Easy Enchilada Masterpiece

Creating this Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. It begins with browning your lean ground beef and sautéing chopped onions until fragrant. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess grease to ensure a lighter, healthier dish. To this savory base, you’ll stir in your rinsed black beans, a can of rich enchilada sauce, and a can of tomato sauce. This creates a deeply flavorful, slightly saucy meat mixture that forms the heart of your casserole.

Next, prepare your biscuit base. After quartering the refrigerated biscuits, spread them evenly across the bottom of a prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. A generous sprinkling of shredded Mexican cheese over the biscuits adds an immediate layer of flavor and ensures every bite is packed with cheesy goodness. Then, spoon your delectable meat and bean mixture evenly over the cheesy biscuits, making sure to cover them completely. This layering allows the flavors to meld beautifully as it bakes.

The casserole then goes into the oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until those magical biscuits have fully cooked through and puffed up to perfection. The final touch involves sprinkling the remaining cheese over the bubbling casserole and returning it to the oven for a few more minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt into a golden, irresistible blanket. Before serving, a sprinkle of fresh green onions adds a bright, fresh counterpoint to the rich flavors, making each serving not only delicious but also visually appealing. This super good family meal truly is simple to make and bakes in a little over 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights.

Tips for Serving and Customization

While this Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole is fantastic on its own, a few additions can elevate it further. Consider topping individual servings with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy contrast, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or diced avocado for extra richness. A side salad or some simple Mexican rice would complete the meal beautifully. For those who love a bit of heat, a dash of hot sauce or a few extra red pepper flakes can be stirred into the meat mixture. Looking to switch things up? Feel free to experiment with different proteins like shredded chicken, ground turkey, or even plant-based meat alternatives. Adding diced bell peppers or corn to the meat mixture can boost the vegetable content and add extra crunch. Next time, I am even thinking about adding some sliced black olives over the top for an extra layer of briny flavor. The possibilities for customization are endless, making this a versatile recipe that you can tailor to your family’s unique tastes.

This Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients and clever techniques can come together to create an unforgettable meal. It’s a dish that promises comfort, convenience, and a burst of those beloved Mexican flavors, all in one easy-to-make package. Give it a try, and watch it become a treasured favorite in your home!

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Print Recipe

Bubble Up Enchiladas

Ground beef, black beans, enchilada sauce, biscuits and cheese — a fantastic casserole that is super easy!

Prep Time
10 mins

Cook Time
40 mins

Total Time
50 mins

Cuisine:
Mexican

Keyword:
Bubble Up Enchiladas

Servings:
6

Calories:
458 kcal

Author:
Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce (or your own homemade)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (16 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese, divided
1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, optional (I used one)
Green onion slices for serving, if desired

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Brown the ground beef with the onions in a skillet. Drain excess grease. Add the black beans. Add the tomato and enchilada sauce. Stir to combine.
Cut biscuits into quarters. Lay them in the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese.
Pour the meat mixture evenly over the biscuits.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until biscuits are cooked through and puffed up.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake until melted and bubbly.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with green onions if desired.

Notes

Next time, I am going to sprinkle black olives over the top! YUM!

Nutrition

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