A few weekends ago, I invited my daughter and her two little ones over for dinner. She’s a nurse and works night shifts, so I love when she brings the kids by and lets me spoil everyone for a few hours. I was in the mood to cook something that would light up their faces but didn’t want to do the usual spaghetti or lasagna.
I opened the fridge, pulled out a package of tortillas, a bag of pepperoni, and a container of ricotta I had leftover from last week’s stuffed shells. And just like that, I had the start of something fun.
I’ve always had a soft spot for playful meals—dishes that feel a little unexpected but totally comforting. And this one hit all the right notes. Pizza flavors? Check. Warm, cheesy filling? Check. A little twist that makes it feel new? You bet.
I started sautéing the onions and bell peppers with the beef while the kids sat at the table coloring, the kitchen smelling like pizza night at our favorite corner joint. By the time the enchiladas came out of the oven, gooey and bubbling, my grandson clapped his hands and yelled, “Pizza burritos!”
Now it’s a regular in our house, especially when we want something warm and satisfying but don’t want to fuss with making pizza dough. These pizza enchiladas are a little Italian, a little Tex-Mex, and a whole lot of delicious.
Short Description
Pizza Enchiladas With Ground Beef are hearty, cheesy tortilla rolls filled with savory beef, pepperoni, and ricotta, topped with pizza sauce and more cheese—baked until bubbly and golden.
Key Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 oz pepperoni, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup crumbled bacon
- 8 large flour tortillas
For the Topping:
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
Tools Needed
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Baking sheet or large casserole dish
- Cooking spray
- Oven
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F and let it heat while you prep everything else.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it apart and cook until fully browned.
Step 3: Add Veggies and Pepperoni
Stir in the diced onions, bell pepper, and chopped pepperoni. Cook until the veggies soften, about 4–5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Garlic and Cook
Add chopped garlic and stir well. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 5: Mix in Sauce and Cheese
Remove skillet from heat. Add pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, ricotta, mozzarella, and crumbled bacon. Stir until fully combined and creamy.
Step 6: Fill and Roll Tortillas
Lay out each tortilla. Spoon the filling down the center and roll them tightly.
Step 7: Assemble in the Baking Dish
Spray a baking sheet or casserole dish with cooking spray. Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down.
Step 8: Top with Sauce and Cheese
Pour pizza sauce over the top, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Add pepperoni slices and a bit of crumbled bacon for crunch and extra flavor.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and the edges start to brown slightly.
Step 10: Serve Warm
Let cool for a few minutes, then serve hot with your favorite sides.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Loaded with cheesy goodness, smoky bacon, and pizza-inspired herbs and spices.
Quick and Easy: No dough or fancy prep—just basic ingredients and simple steps.
Kid-Friendly: A perfect mix of pizza and enchiladas that even picky eaters love.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be assembled earlier in the day and baked when ready.
Customizable: Swap in your favorite meats, cheeses, or veggies with ease.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Tortillas Tearing
Solution: Warm tortillas slightly before filling to make them more pliable.
Watery Filling
Solution: Make sure the beef and veggies are fully cooked and any liquid is simmered off before adding cheese.
Overbaked Cheese
Solution: Check after 20 minutes. If cheese starts to brown too much, lightly cover with foil.
Underseasoned Filling
Solution: Taste your beef mixture before adding it to the tortillas and adjust salt or herbs as needed.
Overcrowding the Pan
Solution: Give each roll a bit of room so the sauce and cheese melt evenly over everything.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a main with a crisp Caesar or garden salad on the side.
Add garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks for a hearty meal.
Pair with sparkling water, a light red wine, or iced tea.
Great for family-style meals, potlucks, or casual weekend dinners.
Serve plated with a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle of fresh basil.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat in Oven: Bake at 325°F covered with foil for 20 minutes.
Reheat in Microwave: Cover loosely and heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Flour tortillas hold the filling better, but corn works if you warm them first to prevent cracking.
2. Is there a substitute for ricotta cheese?
Yes, cottage cheese or a mixture of cream cheese and mozzarella works as a creamy alternative.
3. Can I make these ahead and bake later?
Absolutely. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.
4. How do I keep the tortillas from getting soggy?
Don’t overfill them with sauce inside. Most of the sauce goes on top.
5. Are they spicy?
Not at all but you can add crushed red pepper or spicy pepperoni for a little heat.
Tips & Tricks
Use mini pepperoni inside the filling for even distribution.
For extra crisp edges, broil the top for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Add a handful of chopped spinach or mushrooms to the filling for a veggie boost.
Brush the tops with olive oil before baking for a slightly golden finish.
Sprinkle Parmesan on top along with mozzarella for more flavor.
Recipe Variations
1. Chicken Pizza Enchiladas
Swap ground beef for 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken. Keep everything else the same.
2. Veggie Supreme Version
Skip the meat and load up with sautéed mushrooms, black olives, spinach, and red onion. Use plant-based cheese if needed.
3. Buffalo Style
Add 1/4 cup buffalo sauce to the filling. Use blue cheese crumbles in place of ricotta and top with ranch drizzle after baking.
4. BBQ Bacon Enchiladas
Replace pizza sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce. Add chopped cooked chicken and more bacon. Sweet and smoky twist!
5. Hawaiian Style
Use chopped ham instead of ground beef and add 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits to the filling. Sweet, salty, and unexpected.
Final Thoughts
Some recipes just have a way of surprising you. These pizza enchiladas started out as a quick dinner idea, but now they’ve earned their spot on our family’s comfort food list. They’re warm, cheesy, and full of flavor but it’s more than that. It’s the joy on my grandson’s face, the way the kitchen smells like a pizza parlor, and the simple pleasure of sitting around the table with people I love.
As I get older, I realize how much I treasure meals like this—no fancy techniques, just a handful of ingredients turned into something cozy and special. I hope you make this recipe your own, tweak it to suit your tastes, and share it with the folks who make your house feel like home. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just food. It’s love you can taste.
Pizza Enchiladas With Ground Beef
Print ThisIngredients
- For the Filling:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 oz pepperoni, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup crumbled bacon
- 8 large flour tortillas
- For the Topping:
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Heat oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Brown Beef
Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium-high until fully browned.
Step 3: Add Veggies & Pepperoni
Stir in diced onions, bell pepper, and chopped pepperoni. Cook 4–5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Garlic
Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes.
Step 5: Mix Sauce & Cheese
Remove from heat. Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, ricotta, mozzarella, and crumbled bacon until creamy.
Step 6: Fill & Roll
Spoon filling onto tortillas and roll tightly.
Step 7: Arrange in Dish
Place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
Step 8: Add Toppings
Top with more pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and bacon.
Step 9: Bake
Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Step 10: Serve
Cool slightly and enjoy warm.
