Quick & Cheesy Enchiladas: Family-Friendly Mexican Dinner in Under an Hour

Easy Enchiladas: A Cheesy Mexican-Inspired Dinner

Enchiladas are the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights, blending warm tortillas, tangy salsa, and melty cheese in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Easy Enchiladas

• Quick Prep: Ready in under an hour.
• Family-Friendly: Customizable fillings for kids and adults.
• Baked to Perfection: Crispy edges meet gooey cheese.
• Flavor-Packed: Salsa, cumin, and chili powder unite for a Mexican-inspired feast.

Ingredients for Cheesy Enchiladas

• 2 (16 ounce) jars prepared salsa
• 12 corn or flour tortillas
• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (or beef, pork, beans for a vegetarian twist)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish)
• Sour cream or crème fraîche, for serving

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour 1 cup of salsa evenly across the bottom.
2. In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped onion, cumin, chili powder, and 1 cup of cheese. Stir until well mixed.
3. Warm tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave to make them more pliable.
4. Spoon about ⅓ cup of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up snugly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
5. Pour remaining salsa over the rolled enchiladas, ensuring each tortilla is fully coated.
6. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and enchiladas are heated through.
7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream on the side.

Tips for Perfect Enchiladas

• Warm tortillas to prevent tearing when rolling.
• Use a mix of cheeses (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack) for extra creaminess.
• Prep ahead by assembling enchiladas in the morning and refrigerating until baking time.

Note: Feel free to swap chicken for black beans or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian twist.

Nutrition per Serving

• Calories: 595 kcal
• Carbs: 68 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Fat: 26 g (Saturated Fat: 11 g)
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sodium: 1757 mg

Serve hot and enjoy every cheesy bite of these flavorful enchiladas.

Recipe inspired by AllRecipes