Beef-filled enchiladas covered in doctored red chile sauce and plenty of melted cheese. Easy enough for a weeknight, good enough to make takeout completely unnecessary.
Heat the oven to 375°F. Get an 8×8 baking dish ready.
Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ¾ lb ground beef and ½ small diced yellow onion. Cook 5–7 minutes, breaking up the beef as it browns. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 packet taco seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, stirring so the seasoning coats the beef. Stir in ⅓ cup red enchilada sauce and cook another 1 minute. Take the skillet off the heat.
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 Tbsp butter, ½ tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp garlic powder and a small pinch of sugar. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the sauce looks smooth and glossy. Taste it. If it still has a sharp canned tomato edge, add another tiny pinch of sugar.
Wrap 6 flour tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20–30 seconds. Warm tortillas roll without cracking. Cold tortillas fight back.
Spread ⅓ cup of the doctored enchilada sauce across the bottom of the baking dish. Divide the beef filling between the tortillas and sprinkle a little of the 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese inside each one. Roll them snugly and place them seam-side down in the dish.
Pour the remaining doctored enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and finish with the remaining shredded cheese. Cover them, but don't drown them. You're making enchiladas, not tortilla soup.
Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is completely melted. For a little extra color, broil for 1–2 minutes. Stay there and watch it. Broilers cannot be trusted.
Let the enchiladas rest for 5 minutes before serving. Finish with a light sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro. Add sour cream on the side if you want it. Then get them on the table while the cheese is still doing what cheese is supposed to do.
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