If you love comfort food with a little kick, Cheesy Enchiladas Bake is about to become your new obsession. This mouthwatering dish captures everything we adore about enchiladas—melty layers of cheese, gently spiced meat or beans, soft tortillas, and plenty of sauce—bundled into one easy, family-friendly bake. Each bite is creamy, cheesy, zesty, and just begging to be topped with fresh garnishes for color and crunch. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just craving a dinner that sparks joy, this Cheesy Enchiladas Bake is an all-seasons winner you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
No need to scour specialty stores—the beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity! Each ingredient brings something essential to the party, making sure every bite of Cheesy Enchiladas Bake is well-balanced and impossible to resist.
- Corn tortillas: The perfect vehicle for soaking up all that enchilada sauce while holding their shape beautifully in the bake.
- Shredded cooked chicken or ground beef (optional): Adds satisfying protein and hearty flavor; swap for beans to keep it vegetarian.
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese: Melts into an irresistibly gooey, golden topping and creamy filling.
- Red enchilada sauce: Brings zing and moisture; use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade for a custom twist.
- Sour cream: Makes the filling extra creamy and rich—don’t skip it!
- Diced onion: Adds crunch and a gentle pungency that balances the richness of cheese and sour cream.
- Garlic powder: For mellow, aromatic depth without any chopping required.
- Cumin: Gives that unmistakable earthy, southwest flavor that rounds out each bite.
- Salt and black pepper: Enhances every ingredient and brings flavors together.
- Chopped cilantro & sliced green onions (optional): For a pop of color and fresh bite when serving—highly recommended!
How to Make Cheesy Enchiladas Bake
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish
Start things off by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to keep those enchiladas from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. You’ll thank yourself later!
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, stir together your shredded cooked chicken or ground beef (or beans), half the shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onion, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. This creamy, savory blend forms the magical core of each enchilada. Make sure it’s well mixed so you get a bit of everything in every bite.
Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Now comes the fun part! Spoon a few tablespoons of enchilada sauce over the bottom of your greased dish. Scoop 2–3 tablespoons of the filling onto each tortilla, roll them up tightly, and nestle them in seam-side down. This keeps everything tucked in and ready for a perfect bake.
Step 4: Top and Bake
Pour the rest of that bold enchilada sauce right over your lined-up tortillas, then shower them generously with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes to let everything heat through. Remove the foil and bake for a final 10 minutes, letting the cheese get deliciously melty and bubbly.
Step 5: Rest and Garnish
After baking, let your Cheesy Enchiladas Bake cool for a few minutes—this helps the flavors meld and makes slicing easier. Top the bake with plenty of chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for a fresh finish just before serving.
How to Serve Cheesy Enchiladas Bake
Garnishes
Garnishes aren’t just for looks—they pump up the flavor and add lively colors. I love scattering fresh chopped cilantro and thinly sliced green onions over the Cheesy Enchiladas Bake right before serving. For extra flair, consider adding diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or a squeeze of lime.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with sides that complement the cheesy, saucy deliciousness of your bake. Classic choices include Mexican rice, a fresh green salad, tangy guacamole, or simple black beans. Don’t forget tortilla chips for scooping up any extra sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Want to get a little playful? Serve Cheesy Enchiladas Bake in individual ramekins for a personalized touch, or slice it into squares to make it finger-friendly for a party. If you’re feeling bold, pile leftovers into a hearty burrito or serve them breakfast-style topped with a fried egg.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cheesy Enchiladas Bake will keep wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cover your dish tightly with foil or transfer everything to an airtight container, and you’ll have a ready-to-reheat meal for busy weeknights.
Freezing
This recipe is a freezer superstar! Assemble the entire bake, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze before baking. When cravings strike, bake it straight from the freezer, adding about 15 extra minutes to the cooking time, or thaw overnight for the most even results.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop single portions in the microwave or rewarm the whole dish in a 350°F oven (covered with foil) until hot and bubbly. Add fresh garnishes after reheating to keep flavors bright and textures crisp.
FAQs
Can I make Cheesy Enchiladas Bake vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the chicken or beef for black beans, refried beans, or even a veggie medley. It’s just as hearty and delicious without the meat.
What type Main Course
A Mexican blend is perfect because it melts beautifully and adds that signature flavor. Feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper jack to suit your taste and spice level.
Can I prepare Cheesy Enchiladas Bake the night before?
Yes! Assemble everything, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since you’re starting from cold.
Are flour tortillas okay to use instead of corn?
You can use flour tortillas if that’s what you have on hand. They’ll be softer and a little more delicate, but still totally tasty in this recipe.
What can I do if I want extra spicy Cheesy Enchiladas Bake?
Stir diced jalapeños or green chiles into the filling, or use a spicier enchilada sauce. A sprinkle of hot sauce before serving also does the trick!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re feeling as excited as I am to try this Cheesy Enchiladas Bake! It’s such a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that truly brings people together around the table. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular request—every cheesy, saucy bite speaks for itself!
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Cheesy Enchiladas Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Enchiladas Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish that combines tender meat, gooey cheese, and flavorful spices, all baked to perfection. This recipe is a family favorite and perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Ingredients
Cheesy Enchiladas Bake Ingredients:
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken or ground beef (optional)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken or beef (if using), 1 cup of shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onion, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
- Assemble the enchiladas: Spread a few tablespoons of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Fill each tortilla with 2–3 tablespoons of the mixture, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, then garnish with cilantro and green onions before serving.
Notes
- Use refried beans or black beans instead of meat for a vegetarian version.
- Add chopped green chiles or jalapeños for extra heat.
- Serve with rice, guacamole, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 enchiladas
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
