Spice Up Dinner with This Enchilada Recipe!

Hello there food lovers! Do you ever find yourself in a dinner rut, making the same old recipes week after week? Fear not, because today we have a delicious new recipe to add some spice to your dinner routine! This enchilada recipe is packed with layers of flavor, from the tender chicken to the tangy salsa, and of course, plenty of cheese.

Enchilada Recipe

Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients. Traditionally, they are wrapped in corn tortillas and baked in a flavorful sauce. But this recipe puts a twist on the classic by using flour tortillas instead, which gives them a slightly different texture and flavor. You can customize this recipe to your liking, adding in extra veggies or even switching out the chicken for beef or tofu.

How to Make Delicious Enchilada Sauce at Home

Enchilada sauce is an essential ingredient in making enchiladas. While you can buy it from a store, making it from scratch is easy, and it tastes better. Here’s how to make delicious enchilada sauce at home, along with some tips and tricks to customize it to your liking.

Ingredients

To make the enchilada sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 1 can of tomato sauce (8 oz)
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Steps

To make the enchilada sauce, follow these steps:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and mix them well.
  2. Place the pot on medium heat and cook the mixture until it becomes heated through and well combined.
  3. Remove from heat and use the sauce immediately to make enchiladas; otherwise, store it in the fridge or freezer.

Tips and Tricks

While you should use the above measurements of ingredients as a base for your enchilada sauce, don’t be afraid to customize it to your own taste. Here are some tips to help you make the sauce that you’ll love:

  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add more chili powder to the mix.
  • If you want to add more depth of taste, try adding additional spices like oregano or paprika.
  • If you’re not a fan of chunky sauce, you can blend the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy.
  • Make a double or triple batch of the sauce and store it in small portions in the freezer. This way, you’ll have a quick and easy solution for busy weeknights.

In conclusion, making enchilada sauce from scratch is easy, and it tastes so much better than the store-bought option. Plus, you can customize the sauce to fit your individual tastes. Experiment with different spice combinations and enjoy a sauce that’s unique to you. Happy cooking!

How to Make the Perfect Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a delicious and classic Mexican dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner or gathering with friends. To make the perfect enchiladas, you need to have the right ingredients and know the right techniques to assemble them. With a little bit of practice, you can master the art of making delicious enchiladas in no time.

Ingredients

Before you begin, you want to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. Here are the ingredients you will need:

– Enchilada sauce: You can use store-bought or make your own enchilada sauce from scratch.
– Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas work well for enchiladas.
– Cooked shredded chicken: You can use leftover chicken or cook fresh chicken specifically for this recipe.
– Shredded cheese: Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheese work well for enchiladas.
– Diced onions: You can use white or yellow onions.

Steps

Here are the steps to make the perfect enchiladas:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Warm up the enchilada sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm throughout the recipe.

3. Dip each tortilla in the warm enchilada sauce, making sure it’s coated on both sides.

4. Add a spoonful of cooked shredded chicken and shredded cheese to the center of the tortilla.

5. Roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish.

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the remaining tortillas and ingredients, making sure they are snugly placed in the baking dish.

7. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle diced onions over the top.

8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.

9. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the enchiladas are hot and bubbly.

10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve perfect enchiladas every time:

– If you don’t have cooked chicken on hand, you can use ground beef or turkey instead. You can also make vegetarian enchiladas by using beans or tofu.
– Experiment with different types of cheese and toppings. You can add sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, or diced tomatoes on top for extra flavor and color.
– To prevent the tortillas from breaking apart or tearing, warm them up in the microwave for 30 seconds before assembling the enchiladas.
– If you prefer your enchiladas to be crispier, you can broil them for a few minutes after baking to brown the cheese and crisp up the edges.

In conclusion, enchiladas are a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal that is perfect for any occasion. By following these simple steps and tips, you can make the perfect enchiladas that are sure to impress your family and friends. So go ahead and give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!

Variations on Classic Enchiladas

Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that has become a favorite around the world. Traditionally made with corn tortillas, meat, and cheese they are a delicious and satisfying meal. However, there are many variations on this classic dish that allow you to make it your own and suit your dietary preferences. Here are three different twists on the classic enchilada recipe!

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Vegetarians can still enjoy the delicious flavors of enchiladas by using black beans, corn, bell peppers, and avocado in place of chicken and cheese. These ingredients add a lot of flavor and texture and make for a tasty vegetarian alternative for those who want to steer clear of meat!

To make these vegetarian enchiladas you will need:

  • 2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups of frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 bell peppers, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 can of enchilada sauce
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

To assemble:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Warm up the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds or until they are soft and pliable
  3. In a large bowl, mix together black beans, corn, bell peppers, and avocado
  4. Pour half of the enchilada sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Fill each tortilla with the bean mixture and roll it up tightly. Place it with the seam side down into the baking dish. Repeat until the dish is filled
  6. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through
  8. Remove foil and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Serve hot!

Enchilada Casserole

Another fun twist on traditional enchiladas is to create a casserole dish instead of rolling up individual tortillas. This is an easy and delicious way to feed a crowd and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

The ingredients you will need for your enchilada casserole:

  • 1 pound cooked and shredded chicken
  • 1 can of enchilada sauce
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 can of refried beans
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups of shredded cheese

To assemble:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
  4. Place 4 tortillas on top of the sauce.
  5. Spread half of the refried beans over the tortillas.
  6. Spread half of the chicken over the beans.
  7. Drizzle half of the enchilada sauce over the chicken.
  8. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top.
  9. Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining tortillas and finishing with the remaining cheese.
  10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Dessert Enchiladas

Who says that enchiladas have to be savory? You can create sweet enchiladas by filling them with sweetened ricotta cheese and fruit like strawberries or peaches, and topping them with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. This is an unexpected and delicious dessert that is sure to surprise and delight your guests.

The ingredients you will need for your dessert enchiladas:

  • 1 cup of ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • 1 cup of sliced strawberries
  • 1/4 cup of chocolate sauce
  • 1/4 cup of whipped cream

To assemble:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  3. Spread a heaping spoonful of the mixture onto the center of a tortilla.
  4. Place 2-3 slices of strawberries on top of the ricotta mixture.
  5. Roll up the tortilla tightly and place seam-side down in a baking dish.
  6. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
  7. Bake the enchiladas for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.
  8. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
  9. Serve hot!

Closing Thoughts

We hope you enjoy this delicious enchilada recipe and have fun trying it out for yourself! Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own personal touches to make it even more special. Whether you’re cooking for friends, family, or just for yourself, this enchilada recipe is sure to spice up your dinner routine. Thanks for reading and we hope you visit again soon for more tasty recipes!

FAQ

1. Can I make enchiladas ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.

2. Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Absolutely! Corn tortillas would be a great alternative for a gluten-free option.

3. Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Definitely! Simply replace the chicken with your favorite veggies or tofu for a vegetarian-friendly version.

4. Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?

You can, but homemade enchilada sauce will give your recipe a more authentic flavor.

5. How can I make this recipe spicer?

Try adding diced jalapeños or a spicy chili powder to the filling or the sauce.

6. Can I freeze leftover enchiladas?

Yes! Allow the enchiladas to cool completely before wrapping tightly and freezing for up to three months.

7. Can I use a different type of cheese?

Of course! Feel free to use your favorite cheese or a blend of cheeses.

8. Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Follow the recipe as written but cook in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours.

9. Can I make this recipe in advance for a dinner party?

This recipe is perfect for prepping ahead of time! Simply assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.

10. Can I make this recipe without baking it?

You could, but baking the enchiladas really brings all the flavors together and creates a delicious melted cheese topping.