Delicious Enchiladas: A Budget-Friendly Recipe

What Are Enchiladas?

By definition, enchilada translates to "in chili" or "covered with chili." It's a tortilla filled with various ingredients like beef, chicken, fish, pork, potatoes, beans, veggies, or cheese. Indigenous people called flat cornbread "tlaxcalli," which the Spanish later turned into tortilla.

Originally, enchiladas were sold by street vendors as filled tortillas with a side of sauce for dipping. Today, you can find them made with flour or corn tortillas, mostly baked in either green or red sauce and topped with cheese (Tex-Mex style). Popular toppings include lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, cilantro, and cream.

This is how I make my enchiladas. Check out more about enchiladas here.

Ingredients

• 3/4 - 1 pound of cooked shredded chicken

• 1 small onion, diced

• 12 corn tortillas

• 19 oz can of enchilada sauce

• 7 oz shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or a mixture)

• Cooking spray

• Diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce for topping

  
  

Steps to Make Enchiladas

1. Preheat the Oven

   Heat your oven to 350°F (or 176°C).

   
   

2. Prepare the Skillet

   Lightly spray a skillet and heat it up.

   
   

3. Make Tortillas Pliable

   Place tortillas in the hot skillet. (Don’t crisp them up; just warm them.)

   
   

4. Fill the Tortillas

   Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken and onions. Roll them up and place them in a (9x13) baking pan.

   
   

5. Repeat the Process

   Continue until all tortillas are filled, rolled, and in the baking pan.

   
   

6. Add Sauce and Cheese

   Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle cheese on top. Cover the pan with foil.

   
   

7. Bake

   Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

   
   

Perfect Pairings

Enchiladas pair wonderfully with sides of Spanish rice and refried beans. They make a hearty meal that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A simple, delicious enchilada recipe that won’t break the bank. I love making these for family gatherings or just a cozy night in. They’re always a hit, and I know you’ll enjoy them too. Enjoy!