Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Dish (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty skillet meal featuring ground beef, pasta, enchilada sauce, and melted Colby Jack cheese.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

02 - 1 cup chopped onion
03 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic
04 - 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
05 - Fresh cilantro for garnish

→ Liquids

06 - 1 cup low sodium beef broth
07 - 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
08 - 2 cans (10 ounces each) mild enchilada sauce

→ Pasta

09 - 2 1/2 cups medium shell pasta

→ Cheese

10 - 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
11 - Sour cream for topping

→ Spices

12 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, then add chopped onion. Cook until onions soften and become translucent. Drain excess fat before proceeding.
02 - Stir in salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne. Toast spices briefly, then add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in beef broth, enchilada sauce, and milk. Add dry pasta and stir to coat and submerge noodles evenly.
04 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring once halfway to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
05 - Remove lid, stir in 1 cup shredded cheese until melted. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, replace lid and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes to achieve a gooey, melted finish.
06 - Top with fresh cilantro and dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Stir once halfway through simmering to prevent noodles from sticking.
02 - Shredding cheese yourself ensures a smoother melt and richer texture.
03 - Letting the skillet sit covered off heat for a minute enhances the gooey cheese topping.