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Easy Cheesy Budget Enchilada Casserole Recipe for Family Dinners

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A quick, affordable, and cheesy enchilada casserole perfect for family dinners, using simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10–12 corn tortillas (or flour tortillas if preferred)
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 can (10 oz / 283 g) red enchilada sauce
  • 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Whisk well until smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, toss the shredded chicken, black beans, chopped onion, and diced jalapeño (if using) with about half of the sauce mixture.
  4. Start with a thin layer of sauce spread evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Then add a layer of tortillas, slightly overlapping to cover the surface.
  5. Add a layer of the chicken mixture over the tortillas, spreading evenly.
  6. Sprinkle a generous handful of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken layer.
  7. Repeat the layers: Add another layer of tortillas, then the remaining chicken mixture, and top with remaining sauce and cheese. The topmost layer should be cheese-heavy.
  8. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
  9. Rest the casserole for about 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use corn tortillas and check enchilada sauce labels. Warm tortillas slightly before layering to prevent cracking. If sauce is too thick, add water or broth; if too thin, simmer to concentrate. Rest casserole after baking for easier slicing. Can substitute chicken with ground beef, turkey, or make vegetarian with extra beans and veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: enchilada casserole, cheesy casserole, budget dinner, family meal, quick dinner, easy recipe, chicken casserole, Mexican casserole

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/easy-cheesy-budget-enchilada-casserole-recipe-for-family-dinners/