Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole

Bubble Up Enchiladas are an easy enchilada casserole made with tender biscuit pieces, seasoned ground turkey or lean ground beef, enchilada sauce, and melted cheese. This simple family dinner uses just a few main ingredients and comes together quickly in one baking dish. The name “Bubble Up” comes from the way the biscuit pieces rise and puff through the sauce as the casserole bakes, creating a soft, hearty base with classic enchilada flavor.

Bubble up enchiladas topped with green onions in a casserole dish.

This Bubble Up Enchiladas recipe became popular during the Weight Watchers Points Plus years, and it is still a favorite for anyone who wants a comforting casserole that can be adjusted to fit different eating plans. Using lean ground turkey helps keep the dish lighter, while reduced-fat biscuits and low-fat cheese make it a practical option for a weeknight meal. If you follow a WW-style plan, you can also make the recipe with a two-ingredient dough biscuit alternative, though the baking time may need to be extended so the dough cooks through completely.

The best part about this enchilada bake is how flexible it is. You can use your favorite enchilada sauce, choose ground turkey or lean ground beef, and add toppings such as green onions, black olives, salsa, or fat-free sour cream before serving. It has the flavor of enchiladas without the work of rolling tortillas, making it a convenient casserole for busy nights.

Ingredients for Bubble-Up Enchiladas

Ingredients needed for Bubble Up Enchiladas.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Use a canned enchilada sauce you already enjoy, or make your own if you prefer homemade sauce. The sauce brings most of the flavor to the casserole, so choose one with a taste and spice level you like.
  • Canned Biscuits: Reduced-fat refrigerated biscuits work well in this recipe. They are cut into small pieces and baked under the meat and sauce mixture until they puff up and become tender.
  • Cheese: A shredded low-fat Mexican cheese blend works nicely, but fat-free cheddar can also be used if you want a lighter option.
  • Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey is a great choice for this casserole. Lean ground beef, such as 93% or 96% lean, can also be used if you prefer a beef enchilada flavor. If you are tracking points or nutrition, adjust the values based on the protein you choose.
  • See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact measurements.

Substitution Tips

  • Use a two-ingredient dough recipe in place of canned biscuits if you want a lighter biscuit option. Keep in mind that homemade dough may need a longer baking time.
  • Fat-free cheddar can be used instead of a Mexican cheese blend. Choose the cheese that best fits your taste and nutrition goals.
  • If you do not like canned enchilada sauce, use homemade enchilada sauce instead.
  • For extra fiber and texture, stir in beans or corn with the cooked meat before baking.

How to Make Bubble-Up Enchiladas

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground turkey or lean ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess fat if needed. Stir in the enchilada sauce and tomato sauce until the meat is evenly coated.

Ground beef and enchilada sauce in a skillet.

Step 2: Cut the refrigerated biscuits into fourths. Place the biscuit pieces in a single layer in a greased casserole dish so they bake evenly.

Layered biscuits in a greased baking dish.

Step 3: Spread the meat and enchilada sauce mixture evenly over the biscuit layer. Bake the casserole until the biscuits are cooked through and have puffed up into the sauce.

Ground beef mixture over layered biscuits in a casserole dish.

Recipe Tip: Use a toothpick to check whether the biscuits are fully baked. If the toothpick comes out doughy, continue baking for a few more minutes.

Step 4: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving so it slices more easily.

What Can I Serve with Enchiladas?

Bubble Up Enchiladas are filling on their own, but a few simple side dishes can turn them into a complete meal. Choose fresh, light sides if you want to balance the richness of the casserole, or serve it with classic Mexican-inspired sides for a heartier dinner.

  1. Rice and Beans: Mexican rice and refried beans are classic sides for enchiladas. The rice can be seasoned with tomato sauce, herbs, or spices, while the beans can be finished with a small amount of cheese, sour cream, or fresh herbs.
  2. Guacamole and Chips: Fresh guacamole adds creaminess and brightness to the meal. Serve it with tortilla chips for a simple side or appetizer.
  3. Salad: A crisp salad helps balance the warm, cheesy casserole. Try lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, black beans, corn, or avocado for a fresh contrast.
  4. Enchilada Toppings: Sour cream, Greek yogurt, green onions, black olives, cilantro, and salsa all work well as toppings for this casserole.
  • Variations: This style of casserole is easy to adapt. You can add beans or corn to the meat mixture for more texture and fiber. The same “bubble up” method can also inspire other casseroles, such as a pizza-style bake or a chicken pot pie version.

If you tried these Bubble Up Enchiladas, leave a star rating and share how they turned out in the comments. This is the kind of easy casserole recipe that works well for meal planning, family dinners, and quick comfort food.

Bubble Up Enchiladas recipe thumbnail

Bubble Up Enchiladas – Weight Watcher Recipes

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  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 35 min
  • Total Time: 45 min
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Bubble Up Enchiladas are a quick casserole made with biscuit pieces, lean ground turkey or beef, enchilada sauce, and cheese. As the casserole bakes, the biscuits rise through the sauce, creating a hearty, flavorful enchilada-inspired dinner.


Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
  • 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, optional
  • 1 (16 ounce) can reduced-fat refrigerated biscuits
  • 1 ¼ cups shredded low-fat Mexican cheese
  • Optional toppings: green onions, black olives, salsa, or fat-free sour cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground turkey or lean ground beef in a skillet, draining any excess fat if needed. Stir in the enchilada sauce and optional tomato sauce.
  2. Cut the refrigerated biscuits into fourths. Place the biscuit pieces in a greased casserole dish, such as an 8 x 11-inch baking dish.
  3. Spread the meat and sauce mixture evenly over the biscuits. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through. Use a toothpick to check the biscuit pieces if needed.
  4. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

WW Points: 11, based on the original calculation. Points may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.

For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey, reduced-fat biscuits, and low-fat or fat-free cheese. If you substitute homemade dough for canned biscuits, allow extra baking time as needed.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ⅙ of the recipe
  • Calories: 372
  • Sugar: 8
  • Fat: 11
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Carbohydrates: 41
  • Protein: 29

Did you make this recipe?

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