Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that consists of tortillas filled with various ingredients, then rolled up and baked in a savory sauce. Here’s a basic recipe for traditional enchiladas:
Ingredients:
- 12 corn tortillas (flour tortillas work too, but corn is traditional)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken, beef, or cheese (for a vegetarian option)
- 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional for serving)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Warm tortillas
Lightly heat the tortillas to make them pliable. You can do this by wrapping them in foil and warming them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or by heating them in a skillet.
3. Prepare the filling
If you’re using chicken or beef, cook it in a little oil with some seasoning like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and a bit of salt. If you’re making cheese enchiladas, just have your shredded cheese ready. You can also mix in onions or sautéed vegetables.
4. Fill and roll tortillas
Take each tortilla and fill the center with your filling (chicken, beef, or cheese). Roll it up and place it seam-side down in a large baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
5. Pour the enchilada sauce
Once all the enchiladas are in the dish, pour the enchilada sauce evenly over them. Make sure the sauce covers them fully so they don’t dry out while baking.
6. Add cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the enchiladas. The more cheese, the better!
7. Bake
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Garnish and serve
Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream, lime wedges, or even avocado slices.
Enchiladas pair beautifully with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh side salad. The beauty of this dish is its versatility—you can switch up the fillings, sauces, and garnishes to suit your taste!
