Cheese Enchilada Recipe (2024)

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This cheese enchilada recipe is so easy and delicious for Mexican Monday. Save money and make these restaurant style cheese enchiladas at home. The homemade red sauce is a game changer.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Cheese Enchiladas

Every bite of these enchiladas taste amazing. They have the perfect amount of sauce with lots of cheesy goodness. If you are looking for a quick and easy meat free dinner idea, this is the one to try.

My family loves when I make these and they all agree they taste like restaurant quality. You can make these in minutes for a hearty meal that is inexpensive.

Skip the canned enchilada sauce and make this easy homemade version instead. You can really taste the difference in this recipe using homemade enchilada sauce.

Ingredients

• Tomato Sauce
• Green Chiles. Don’t drain.
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Dried Oregano
• Minced Garlic . You can also use garlic powder.
• Water. We used water, but we can also use chicken broth.
• Corn Tortillas – I do not recommend flour tortillas.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – You can also use sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or a Mexican Blend cheese.
• shredded Monterey Colby Jack Cheese
• Fresh Cilantro. Chopped

How to make cheese enchiladas

Step 1. Place all of the ingredients except for the water in a food processor. If you do not have one, just use a blender. The ingredients need to be smooth and either one of these will do the trick.

Step 2. Once everything is combined together and smooth, pour the mixture into a pan. Heat the mixture using medium heat.

Step 3. Then gradually add in the water. Whisk until the sauce is the consistency that you like.

Step 4. Go ahead and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 5. You will need a 9×13 casserole dish. Add a small amount of the homemade enchilada sauce to the bottom of the baking pan.

Step 6. Next, dip each tortilla in the warm enchilada sauce.

Step 7. Once coated in red enchilada sauces, place the tortillas in the casserole dish. Then put a small amount of each type of the shredded cheeses in the tortilla and roll it up. Place it down seam side down.

Step 8. Slide each one down to the end of the pan as you roll them up. Continue fill roll after roll until this process until your baking dish is full of enchiladas.

Step 9. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the rolled tortillas. Sprinkle the top of the enchiladas with the remaining shredded cheese.

Step 10. Finally, bake the enchiladas for 15 minutes to 20 minutes. You want the cheese to be melted and slightly golden brown.

Step 11. Once they come out of the oven, top with the chopped fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, or pico de gallo and jalapeños.

What to Serve with Cheese Enchiladas:

• Spanish Rice: This is so easy and our go to side dish for Mexican food. I always make double Mexican rice and freeze some for an easy grab and go option later.

• Mexican White Cheese dip. Your kids will think you are the best for making this. It tastes just like the restaurant. Just add some tortilla chips and you are set.

• Crockpot Refried Beans. The flavor is perfect in this easy recipe. Make a big batch to enjoy with enchiladas and freeze the rest.

You might also enjoy a few toppings with the enchiladas. My kids call this making it “supreme”. I like to top mine with a dollop of sour cream, diced tomato and guacamole.

Learn what to serve with enchiladas for more tasty and easy ideas.

Can you make these in advance?

You can make these up to 2 to 3 days ahead of time. Just assemble the enchiladas, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

When ready to eat, let them come to room temperature before baking. Then bake at 350 as normal and enjoy.

How to store leftovers?

Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 5 to 7 days. Just make sure to store inside an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Freezing

This recipe is so easy to freeze. I actually usually make 2 pans of this so I can freeze one.

It is no trouble at all to make an extra pan and then you have a meal for another night.

Just make sure to cover tightly in foil. You can also place inside a freezer bag as well.

It will keep up to 2 months in the freezer. When ready to bake, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge.

Let it come to room temperature and then bake as normal. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Normally 20-25 minutes does the trick.

Best cheese for enchiladas:

I prefer to use 2 different types of cheese. I like cheddar and Monterrey jack cheese.

It is best to hand grate the cheese instead of using the bags of shredded cheese. It will melt smoother.

Other types of cheese you can use include: Asadero and Oaxaca cheese.

Recipe Tips:

• Tortillas. Traditionally, enchiladas are made with corn tortillas. However, if you prefer flour tortillas, you can substitute for those.

• Spicy. If you want to jazz up the recipe, add a dash of cayenne pepper. This will spice up the recipe.

• Cheese. I think using 2 different types of cheese adds to the flavor of the recipe. If you only have one type though, just use that. It will still be delicious.

• Assembly. If you find that the tortillas are breaking, try this tip before rolling them. Use a damp paper towel and wrap the tortillas in it. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds and then roll as normal.

More easy enchilada recipes:

• Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
• Taquito Enchiladas Tiktok Recipe
• Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
• Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Recipe
• The best sour cream enchiladas recipe
• Baked Enchilada Chicken Recipe
• Also see Cinco de Mayo Recipes

When you make the best cheese enchiladas, please leave a comment and a star rating. I love hearing from you!