Andy Montoya
Red sauce cheese enchiladas are a family-friendly meal that can be made in 30 minutes with a handful of everyday ingredients. The enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, cheese, and red enchilada sauce. The sauce can be made at home with chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, and other spices, or it can be purchased at a store. To make the enchiladas, shredded cheese is sprinkled onto corn tortillas, which are then rolled up and placed in a casserole dish. More shredded cheese is sprinkled on top, and the dish is baked in the oven until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Corn tortillas, cheese, red enchilada sauce, vegetable oil, flour, seasonings, spices, tomato paste, chicken broth, vinegar, black pepper, salt, heavy cream/sour cream, yellow/white onions, green onions, toppings of your choice |
| Cheese blend | Sharp cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend |
| Cooking instructions | Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan, whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, add seasonings and spices, whisk in tomato paste, slowly pour in chicken broth, increase heat and simmer, bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees |
| Variations | Add meat such as taco meat or shredded chicken, or keep it vegetarian by adding black beans or refried beans |
| Storage | Extra sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the tortillas
If you want to add meat to your enchiladas, you can add cooked ground beef or shredded chicken to the centre of each tortilla before rolling. For a vegetarian option, you can add black beans, refried beans, or sautéed vegetables.
Once you've added your desired fillings, place the rolled tortillas into a casserole dish, seam-side down. You can then sprinkle more shredded cheese on top before baking.
It's worth noting that corn tortillas are less absorbent than flour tortillas, so they may not become as soggy during baking. However, some people prefer corn tortillas because they find that the gluten in flour tortillas helps hold the structure better. Ultimately, it's up to personal preference, and you can choose whichever type of tortilla you like best.
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Making the red sauce
Ingredients
To make the red sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
- Vegetable oil
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or regular flour
- Tomato paste (optional)
- Chicken broth
- Spices such as chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and red pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vinegar
Instructions
Start by heating some vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. If you want a tomato-free sauce, you can omit the tomato paste. Otherwise, whisk it in until smooth.
Next, slowly pour in the chicken broth while continuously whisking to create a smooth sauce. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Then, reduce the heat slightly and maintain a gentle simmer. Continue whisking for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vinegar. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, adding more of each to taste if needed.
And that's it! Your red enchilada sauce is now ready to use. You can also make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your preferences and experiment with different combinations. For a gluten-free option, simply use a gluten-free flour blend. Enjoy creating your sauce!
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Filling the enchiladas
Once you have added your filling, it's time to roll up your enchiladas. Place a small handful of cheese down the centre of the tortilla and roll it up, leaving it in the dish seam-side down. Repeat this process until you have filled all your enchiladas. If there is a little cracking after rolling, don't worry—this will be covered by the sauce and cheese. You can also add more shredded cheese on top of the enchiladas before baking to create a bubbly, melted topping.
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Baking the enchiladas
Now that you have your tortillas filled with cheese and drenched in a red sauce, it's time to bake them!
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the enchiladas. You can use a Mexican blend of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack, or shred your own block of cheese. Spray a piece of foil with nonstick spray and cover the enchiladas.
Once the oven is ready, place the enchiladas inside and bake for 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and take them out when the cheese has melted and the sauce is hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and let the enchiladas cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Your cheese enchiladas with red sauce are now ready to be enjoyed!
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Serving suggestions
Red sauce cheese enchiladas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your enchilada experience:
- Side Dishes: Enchiladas are often served with sides that complement the flavours and textures of the main dish. Consider serving your enchiladas with a fresh garden salad, Spanish rice, refried beans, or even beef empanadas.
- Toppings: Enhance the flavour and presentation of your enchiladas with various toppings. Freshly grated cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, black olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, jalapeno peppers, and Pico de Gallo are all excellent options. You can also add some guacamole, avocado cream sauce, or cotija cheese for extra creaminess and flavour.
- Protein Add-Ins: For a heartier meal, consider adding some protein to your enchiladas. Cooked and shredded chicken, ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, or baked chicken breast are all tasty options. You can also try shredded chicken with cheese for a classic combination.
- Vegetarian Options: If you're catering to vegetarian preferences, there are several delicious options to consider. Bean and cheese enchiladas are a classic, where you can add creamy pinto beans and chopped green chiles to the centre of each tortilla before rolling. You can also experiment with other vegetarian fillings, such as sautéed vegetables or your favourite meat alternatives.
- Presentation: Enchiladas can be served in a variety of ways to make them look appealing. Consider placing them on a bed of rice or beans, garnishing them with fresh herbs, or adding a side of colourful vegetables. You can also serve them family-style on a large platter, allowing everyone to help themselves and enjoy the communal dining experience.
Feel free to mix and match these serving suggestions to create a unique and personalised dining experience for yourself and your guests!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need corn tortillas, red enchilada sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice.
You can use a Mexican blend of shredded cheese, including sharp cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack.
You can add meat such as taco meat or shredded chicken, or keep it vegetarian with black beans or refried beans. You can also add sautéed veggies.
Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add seasonings and spices and continue whisking until fragrant. Whisk in tomato paste until smooth, then slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking. Increase the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens.
Dip a tortilla in the red enchilada sauce, then place some cheese in the centre and roll it up. Place the enchiladas in a casserole dish, sprinkle with more cheese, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly.
