Cheese Enchiladas: Perfect Sides And Toppings To Try

Cheese enchiladas are a delicious and simple meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a party. But what should you serve with them? There are several options to choose from, depending on your preferences.

A good option is to serve them with some fiber-filled side dishes like Quick Seasoned Black Beans, Cucumber and Black Bean Salad, or Cowboy Caviar. A zesty Cilantro Lime Rice can also lighten up the flavours. If you're looking for something more substantial, Pinto Beans, Spanish Rice, or Beef Empanadas are great choices.

For toppings, you can add sour cream, guacamole, green onions, pico de gallo, salsa, or sliced avocado. These will add a burst of colour and flavour to your dish.

So, whether you're serving cheese enchiladas for a cosy night in or a festive gathering, there are plenty of options to make the meal complete!

What to serve with cheese enchiladas

Cheese enchiladas are a delicious, comforting meal, but they can be a little heavy, so it's a good idea to serve them with some lighter side dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with cheese enchiladas to make your meal a success:

Fresh Vegetables

Fresh vegetables can add a nice, light contrast to the richness of the cheese enchiladas. Try serving sliced avocado, black olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, or jalapeno peppers on the side. Not only do they taste great, but they'll also add a pop of colour to your plate.

Salsas and Dips

Salsas and dips are a must-have when serving cheese enchiladas. Try pairing them with pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, or an avocado cream sauce. These additions will enhance the flavour of your meal and add a nice, cool contrast to the warmth of the enchiladas.

Dairy and Cheese

For even more cheesiness, you can serve your cheese enchiladas with some extra dairy on the side. Sour cream, cotija cheese, and queso fresco are all great options that will complement the flavours of the enchiladas.

Beans and Rice

Beans and rice are classic side dishes that go well with cheese enchiladas. Try serving them with pinto beans, Spanish rice, or even beef empanadas for a heartier meal. Black beans and rice, Cuban-style black beans, and seasoned black beans are also great options.

Salads

A fresh salad can help lighten up your meal and provide a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese enchiladas. Try a cucumber and black bean salad or a zesty cilantro lime rice salad to round out your meal.

Meat

While cheese enchiladas are often served as a vegetarian dish, you can easily add some meat to the filling or serve it on the side. Try adding chopped cooked chicken, ground beef, or shredded chicken to your enchiladas, or serve them alongside some barbacoa or shredded beef.

Drinks

Don't forget to serve some refreshing drinks with your cheese enchiladas! Margaritas, beer, or a nice glass of red wine can all pair well with this meal.

How to roll enchiladas without breaking the tortillas

Enchiladas are a delicious and comforting meal, but they can be a little tricky to prepare, especially if you're trying to avoid breaking the tortillas. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you roll enchiladas like a pro:

Prepare the Tortillas:

• Start by gathering your tortillas. Corn tortillas are the most authentic choice and add a great deal of flavor to your enchiladas. However, they can be a bit delicate and prone to cracking.
• To prevent your corn tortillas from breaking, wrap them in damp paper towels. Make sure the paper towels are damp but not soaking wet.
• Place the wrapped tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and microwave them for about 45 seconds to 1 minute. This step helps soften the tortillas, making them more pliable and less likely to break when rolled.

Filling and Rolling:

• Once your tortillas are ready, it's time to add the filling. Enchiladas can be filled with various ingredients, such as cheese, chicken, ground beef, or beans.
• Place no more than 2 tablespoons of filling in the centre of each tortilla. Overstuffing can lead to broken tortillas.
• To roll the enchiladas without breaking the tortillas, start by gently folding one edge of the tortilla over the filling. Then, continue rolling it up until you have a compact cylinder.
• Place the rolled enchilada seam-side down in a baking dish. Repeat this process until all your tortillas are filled and rolled.

Baking:

• Once all your enchiladas are rolled and placed in the baking dish, it's time to add sauce and cheese on top.
• Bake them in the oven according to your recipe instructions, being careful not to overbake, as this can cause the filling to separate and curdle.

Serving:

Serve your enchiladas hot with your favourite toppings and sides. Some popular options include sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, green onions, and cilantro lime rice.

Now you know how to roll enchiladas without breaking the tortillas! Enjoy your delicious, perfectly rolled cheese enchiladas!

What is the best cheese to use for cheese enchiladas?

Enchiladas are a delicious, comforting meal, and cheese enchiladas are no exception. The best cheese for enchiladas is a blend of cheeses that melt well and stretch, giving that sought-after restaurant-style experience.

A blend of Monterey Jack, Asadero, and Queso Quesadilla is a great combination, often labelled as a Mexican blend. This blend is used in many restaurants and is a combination of cheeses that melt well and stretch. You can also add Colby Jack, Cheddar, or Oaxaca, which is also known as Quesadilla cheese.

If you are looking for a vegetarian option, a blend of Cheddar and Pepper Jack is a good choice, or you can use just one melting cheese, such as Monterey Jack, as a base and add in a smaller amount of a cheese like Queso Fresca.

How to make cheese enchiladas

Cheese enchiladas are a delicious, simple and comforting meal. They are warm, creamy, and cheesy. The tortillas and cheese combination is a classic that never gets old. This recipe is flexible, so you can use up any odds and ends of cheese in your fridge. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make cheese enchiladas:

Ingredients:

• Tortillas: Traditionally, enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, but you can also use flour tortillas if you prefer. Corn tortillas hold up better in the sauce and add a delicious corn flavour to the dish.
• Cheese: You will need about 12 ounces of shredded melting cheese. A combination of cheddar and pepper jack works well, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Colby, or Mexican blend cheese.
• Diced Green Chiles: Use a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles to add flavour, texture, and colour to the cheese filling. You can choose between spicy or mild chiles.
• Sour Cream: Combine 1/4 cup of sour cream with the cheese to create a rich and creamy filling.
• Spices: Season the enchilada filling with a simple mix of 1/4 teaspoon each of garlic powder, cumin, and salt.
• Enchilada Sauce: Red enchilada sauce is the best choice, but you can also use green enchilada sauce. You can make your own homemade sauce or use a canned option.

Method:

Step 1: Make the Enchilada Sauce

If you are making your own enchilada sauce, heat some vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add flour and whisk together for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Add your chosen spices, such as chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano, and mix until clumpy. Pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously until there are no more lumps. Heat the sauce for about 15 minutes or until it thickens.

Step 2: Prepare the Tortillas

Toast the tortillas in a hot skillet for a few seconds on each side until lightly browned. This step adds a delicious toasty corn flavour to the dish. You can also wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 20-30 seconds to make them easier to roll.

Step 3: Fill and Roll the Enchiladas

In a bowl, combine 3/4 of the shredded cheese with the drained green chiles, sour cream, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Stir until well combined. Spread about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a large casserole dish. Fill each tortilla with about 3 tablespoons of the cheese filling, then roll them up and place them seam-side down in the casserole dish.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas in the dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake the enchiladas in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and melty. Be careful not to overbake, as this can cause the filling to curdle.

Serving Suggestions:

Cheese enchiladas can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some ideas:

• Toppings: Sour cream, guacamole, green onions, pico de gallo, sliced black olives, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or jalapeños.
• Sides: Quick Seasoned Black Beans, Cucumber and Black Bean Salad, Cowboy Caviar, or Cilantro Lime Rice.

How to store and reheat cheese enchiladas

Storing cheese enchiladas is simple. First, allow your cooked enchiladas to cool down completely. Then, place them in an airtight container, lined with paper towels or parchment paper to absorb excess moisture. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

If you want to freeze your enchiladas, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to three months.

Now, for the reheating methods:

Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the enchiladas in an oven-safe dish, ensuring they are not crowded. Cover the dish with aluminium foil to prevent drying out and heat for 15-25 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Microwave:

Place the enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate and poke small holes to allow steam to escape. Cover with a paper towel or microwave splatter guard and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, checking regularly to prevent overheating.

Skillet:

Add a small amount of oil to a skillet and heat on medium-high. Place the enchiladas in a single layer and cook for 2-4 minutes to crisp up the bottom. Add a few drops of water, cover, and steam for a further 2 minutes.

Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Line the basket with parchment paper if your enchiladas are particularly saucy. Heat for 3-4 minutes.

Always ensure your enchiladas are heated to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Frequently asked questions