Perfect Cheese Enchiladas: Cooking Time And Temperature Guide

Cheese enchiladas are a delicious, family-friendly meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. But how long do you cook them for, and at what temperature? The answer depends on the recipe you're using, but most cheese enchiladas are baked in the oven at 350°F (175-177°C) for 20-30 minutes. Some recipes suggest baking for up to 40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. So, if you're looking to make a quick and easy weeknight meal that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser, cheese enchiladas are a great option!

Preheat the oven to 350°F

Preheating your oven to the right temperature is crucial to the success of your cheese enchiladas. For this recipe, you'll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4). This temperature will ensure that your enchiladas cook through evenly and that the cheese melts to the perfect consistency.

Preheating your oven is important because it ensures that your food starts cooking at the correct temperature as soon as it's placed in the oven. For dishes like cheese enchiladas, where you want a crispy exterior and a gooey, melted cheese interior, an oven that's not quite hot enough could result in a less-than-ideal final product.

While your oven is preheating, you can assemble your enchiladas. Start by warming your tortillas—corn or flour, depending on your preference—in the microwave or on a skillet. This step is important because it makes the tortillas pliable and easier to roll without cracking. You can also warm your tortillas by briefly frying them in a thin layer of oil, which creates a barrier that reduces the amount of liquid they absorb when you assemble and bake your enchiladas.

Once your tortillas are warmed, it's time to fill and roll them. Spread your sauce and filling—a combination of cheese, vegetables, and/or meat—onto each tortilla and roll it up snugly. Place the enchiladas into a greased baking dish, seam-side down, and repeat until the dish is full. You can also dip your tortillas in sauce before filling and rolling them, but be careful not to soak them for too long, especially if you're using corn tortillas, as they can become soggy and fall apart.

After your enchiladas are assembled, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top and pop them into the oven! Bake them for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you want a crispy crust on your enchiladas, you can broil them for a few minutes at the end of the baking time, but be sure to keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Once your cheese enchiladas are baked to perfection, let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them as-is or with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, or additional cheese. Enjoy!

Make the sauce

The sauce is the key to great cheese enchiladas. You can make a simple red enchilada sauce with just a few ingredients, or you can add more spices and ingredients to create a more complex flavour profile. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a delicious enchilada sauce:

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

You will need vegetable oil or another neutral-flavoured cooking oil, such as avocado oil or canola oil. For the spices, you will need chilli powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano. You will also need flour—gluten-free flour is a good option if you want to make this dish gluten-free, or you can use regular all-purpose flour. Finally, you will need tomato paste and chicken broth. If you want to make a vegetarian sauce, you can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Step 2: Heat the oil

Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. You will need about 2-3 tablespoons of oil, depending on the size of your saucepan.

Step 3: Make a roux

Once the oil is hot, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. This will create a roux, which will thicken your sauce.

Step 4: Add the spices

Add the chilli powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano to the saucepan and mix until well combined. You may need to add a little more oil at this stage if the mixture becomes too dry. Continue to cook the spice mixture for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spices become fragrant.

Step 5: Add the tomato paste and broth

Whisk in the tomato paste until the mixture is smooth, then slowly pour in the chicken broth while continuing to whisk. Make sure to whisk constantly as you pour in the broth to avoid lumps.

Step 6: Simmer the sauce

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened. Then, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before using.

You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to freeze it, it freezes well too. Simply thaw it and warm it up before using it in your enchiladas.

Now that you have your sauce, you can move on to the next steps of making your cheese enchiladas: assembling, baking, and enjoying!

Make the cheese filling

The cheese filling is the star of the show when it comes to cheese enchiladas. This is where you get to be generous with your favourite cheeses and any other tasty additions.

First, grab a large bowl and mix together sour cream, parsley, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some diced green chillies and green onions at this stage for a flavour boost. Then, stir in your cheeses. A blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar is a great option, but you can also use a Mexican blend of cheeses, which usually consists of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Colby Jack, Asadero, and Oaxaca (or Queso Quesadilla). If you want a creamier filling, you can also stir in some cream cheese or sour cream.

Now you have your filling, it's time to assemble your enchiladas. Spread a couple of tablespoons of your enchilada sauce over each tortilla, then top with around 1/3 cup of the cheese filling. Roll up the tortilla and place it in a greased baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat until your dish is full.

Assemble the enchiladas

To assemble the enchiladas, start by warming your tortillas. This can be done by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20 seconds, or warming each one in a pan over medium-high heat for 10-15 seconds on each side. This makes them more pliable and easier to roll.

Next, prepare your baking dish. Pour a thin layer of your enchilada sauce into the bottom of the dish. This helps the enchiladas not stick to the dish and adds flavour.

Now you're ready to fill and roll your enchiladas. Spread 2 tablespoons of sauce over each tortilla, then top with your filling. For cheese enchiladas, this will be around 1/3 cup of cheese, but you can also add other ingredients like beans, vegetables, or meat. Place the filling in the centre of the tortilla, then roll it up and place it in the baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat this process until your dish is full.

Finally, pour the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas, making sure to cover every inch. Sprinkle a small amount of cheese on top, then they're ready to bake!

Bake the enchiladas

Now that your enchiladas are assembled, it's time to bake them to perfection! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C/180°C). This is a common temperature for baking cheese enchiladas, ensuring even cooking without drying them out.

Cover with Foil (Optional):

Covering the baking dish with foil is optional but recommended. Foil helps to trap heat and create a steamy environment, ensuring the enchiladas cook through and the cheese melts evenly.

Bake Time:

Place the covered enchiladas in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. The exact time will depend on your oven and the size of your enchiladas, but this is a good average range.

Uncover and Bake for Cheese Browning (Optional):

For a more browned and crispy cheese topping, you can uncover the enchiladas for the last 5 minutes of baking. This step is optional but can add a nice texture and flavor to the dish.

Check for Doneness:

Your enchiladas are likely done when the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can use an oven thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C), which is the safe temperature for consuming dishes with cheese.

Rest and Serve:

Once your enchiladas are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. This will allow the dish to cool slightly and make it easier to handle. Serve them while they're still hot, and enjoy the cheesy goodness!

Feel free to top your enchiladas with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, shredded lettuce, sliced olives, chopped tomatoes, or additional cheese. Enjoy your homemade cheese enchiladas!

Frequently asked questions