If you love the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine but want to skip the fuss, this Lazy Enchiladas Recipe is your new best friend. It delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness you crave without complicated steps or hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a comforting meal that comes together quickly, these enchiladas combine seasoned meat or beans with melty cheese and tangy sauce, creating a satisfying dish everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Lazy Enchiladas Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that pack a flavor punch and bring amazing texture and color to the table. Each item plays a crucial role, from the soft tortillas that cradle the filling to the spices that deliver authentic zest.
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas: These make the perfect wrap for your filling and soak up all the delicious sauce.
- 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or turkey (or black beans for vegetarian): Your protein of choice, adding heartiness and flavor.
- 1 small onion, chopped: Adds sweetness and a bit of texture to the filling.
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite): Provides that gooey, melty topping that enchiladas are famous for.
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce: The rich, tangy base that ties the whole dish together.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin: Infuses warm, earthy notes that enhance the meat and beans.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth of flavor without overpowering.
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder: Gives a gentle kick and classic enchilada spice.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to balance and brighten flavors.
- Sour cream: For serving and adding creamy coolness on top.
- Chopped cilantro: Brings fresh herbal brightness to finish the dish.
- Sliced avocado: Adds luscious creaminess and color contrast.
- Sliced jalapeños: For anyone who loves an extra spicy zing.
- Diced tomatoes: A fresh pop of juiciness that complements the richness.
How to Make Lazy Enchiladas Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it’s ready and hot enough to cook your enchiladas perfectly, melting the cheese and melding all the flavors together in just the right amount of time.
Step 2: Cook the Filling
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown your choice of ground meat or heat the black beans alongside the chopped onion. Stir frequently to break up the meat into small, tender pieces. Sprinkle in the cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper to season the filling beautifully. Cook until browned and cooked through, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in about half a cup of your enchilada sauce. Spread it evenly to coat the bottom. This layer ensures your enchiladas won’t stick and adds extra saucy flavor right from the base.
Step 4: Assemble the Enchiladas
Take a tortilla and spoon roughly a quarter cup of your seasoned filling onto it. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with all your tortillas, neatly lining them up side by side so they fit snugly in the pan.
Step 5: Sauce and Cheese Topping
Now for the best part—cover the tortillas generously with the remaining enchilada sauce. Don’t be shy here; this sauce is where all the magic happens. Sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the top, making sure every inch gets that cheesy goodness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Cover your baking dish with aluminum foil and pop it into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. You want the cheese to be melted, bubbly, and just beginning to brown, which signals your Lazy Enchiladas Recipe is ready to impress.
Step 7: Let It Rest and Serve
Once out of the oven, give your enchiladas a few minutes to cool slightly. This rest time helps everything set making them easier and neater to serve. Top with dollops of sour cream, slices of creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and diced tomatoes as you like.
How to Serve Lazy Enchiladas Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes really elevate this dish. A generous scoop of sour cream adds creamy richness, while cilantro brings a bright herbal note. Sliced avocado contributes buttery smoothness, jalapeños offer a spicy punch, and diced tomatoes add freshness and color. Mix and match to your taste!
Side Dishes
Serve your Lazy Enchiladas Recipe with simple sides like Mexican rice or refried beans for a classic pairing. A crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette or corn on the cob also complement the flavors while adding contrasting textures and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow guests or add some flair? Serve your enchiladas in individual ramekins or small baking dishes for personalized portions. Or turn it into a layered casserole with additional toppings like sliced olives, chopped green onions, or even a drizzle of hot sauce for extra visual and flavor appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover enchiladas keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as they rest, making for an even tastier next-day meal that reheats nicely in the oven or microwave.
Freezing
This Lazy Enchiladas Recipe is freezer-friendly. Assemble your enchiladas up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding extra time to cook until hot and bubbly.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the cheese is melted again, about 15-20 minutes. The microwave works too, but the oven gives you that fresh-from-the-oven crispness and texture we all love.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the ground meat for black beans or your favorite plant-based substitute. The spices and sauce keep all the flavor intact without the meat.
What kind of cheese works best?
Cheddar and Mexican blend cheeses melt beautifully and offer classic enchilada flavor. Feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack or even a bit of queso fresco for a twist.
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Yes! Both corn and flour tortillas work well in this recipe. Flour tortillas tend to be softer and more pliable, which some people prefer, while corn tortillas give a more traditional taste and texture.
How spicy is this Lazy Enchiladas Recipe?
The heat level is moderate thanks to the chili powder and optional jalapeños, but you can adjust the spice according to your preference, either by adding more or going easy on the chili powder and toppings.
Is it possible to prepare this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Assemble the enchiladas and keep them covered in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. When guests arrive, just bake them fresh and serve hot for an effortless yet impressive meal.
Final Thoughts
This Lazy Enchiladas Recipe is the kind of dish you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation. It’s hearty, flavorful, and straightforward enough to whip up anytime, no matter how busy your day gets. Go ahead, make it your own with favorite toppings and sides, and enjoy a little slice of Mexican comfort food that feels just like home.
Print
Lazy Enchiladas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Lazy Enchiladas recipe is a quick and delicious weeknight meal featuring flavorful seasoned ground meat or black beans wrapped in tortillas, smothered with rich enchilada sauce and melted cheese, then baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner, it can be customized with your favorite toppings like sour cream, avocado, and cilantro.
Ingredients
Enchiladas
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or turkey (or black beans for a vegetarian option)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce (or green if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings (optional)
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced avocado
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the enchiladas.
- Cook the Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat or black beans along with the chopped onion. Break up the meat as it cooks. Stir in ground cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare the Enchiladas: Pour about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to cover the base.
- Fill and Roll Tortillas: Take one tortilla and spoon about 1/4 cup of the cooked meat mixture onto it. Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat this with the remaining tortillas, arranging them side by side in the dish.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the packed tortillas, ensuring they’re well-covered. Then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the enchiladas cool for a few minutes before serving. Add your desired toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, jalapeños, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground meat with black beans for a vegetarian version.
- Feel free to use either corn or flour tortillas depending on your preference.
- The recipe works well with either red or green enchilada sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder and jalapeños.
