Beef Enchilada Fideo Skillet (Print version)

A cozy one-pan skillet with seasoned ground beef, toasted fideo pasta, red enchilada sauce, and melted cheese.

# Ingredients:

For the skillet

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
02 - 8 oz (225 g) fideo pasta, or broken vermicelli
03 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
04 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 2 cups (480 ml) red enchilada sauce
11 - 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) low-sodium beef broth

For finishing

12 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
15 - Sour cream, for serving, optional
16 - Pickled jalapeños, for serving, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the fideo and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden and nutty. Transfer to a plate.
02 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add the ground beef and onion, then cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
04 - Pour in the enchilada sauce and beef broth. Stir in the toasted fideo, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 9-11 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the noodles are tender.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the skillet, cover, and cook for 2-3 minutes until melted.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Top with cilantro and serve with lime wedges, sour cream, and pickled jalapeños if using.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served hot after a 5-minute rest so the sauce can thicken.
02 - Add 2-4 tablespoons extra broth if the fideo absorbs the liquid before it turns tender.
03 - Use mild, medium, or hot enchilada sauce depending on your preferred spice level.

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