In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2024)

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (1)

When I was a growing up, family dinners often tookthe form of a delicious casserole dish, made by my mother. My husband had a similar experience in his youth (though he grew up in the Midwest, so a casserole, of course, was called a “hot dish.”) No matter what they were called, casseroles were very popular back in the day, and it’s easy to see why!

A good casserole is often a meal unto itself, oftencontaining meat, vegetables, and a starch all in one dish. This means fewer dirty dishes, and quicker dinner prep times. And who could deny the way the flavors of the ingredients mingle and meld as it bakes in the oven? It’s a truly glorious thing to behold and consume.

However, at some point between our casserole-laden youths and now, casseroles have suffered an image crisis. In many people’s minds today, the word “casserole” conjures images of a dry, tasteless dish with indistinguishable mystery ingredients. And I think that it’s about time that someone took a stand in defense of casseroles! Let’s dispel the negative myths about casseroles, and reintroduce the world to these easy and delicious one-dish delights!

I’ll start by sharing a casserole I made for the family recently that was a big hit! This dish of stacked white chicken enchiladas is a real crowd-pleaser, and simple to throw together. The original recipe used white beans in keeping with the overall light color scheme of the dish. But we’re all about black beans at our house, so I’m dubbing this dish a “Black and White” Enchilada Casserole!

Make sure to continue scrolling after the recipe, where you’ll find images and links for lotsof other delicious casserole recipes from around the web!

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2)

“Black and White” Chicken Enchilada Casserole

adapted from Gimme Some Oven

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 4oz can chopped green chiles
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 soft flour tortillas, halved to make 24 pieces
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 2 14oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
  • avocado, diced (optional)
  • cilantro, chopped (optional)

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (3)

To make the enchilada sauce, start by melting the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the flour, and stir frequently until the mixture browns a bit, about 1 minute. Add one cup of the chicken stock, and whisk until the mixture combines. Then, add the other cup of chicken stock, as well as the green chiles and cumin, and whisk until combined.

Let the mixture continue cooking until it starts to simmer and thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream, and whisk to incorporate it throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the pan from heat and set aside.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (4)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13″ casserole dish. To assemble the enchiladas, layer in the following order:

  • 8 tortilla halves, arranged in a flat layer
  • 1/3 of the enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 of the shredded chicken
  • 1/2 of the black beans
  • 1/3 of the pepper jack cheese

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (5)

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Repeat these layers a second time. For the final layer, put down the remaining tortilla halves, sauce, and the top with cheese. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (7)

When the 20 minutes is up, remove the foil from the casserole dish and bake for an additional 15 minutes, so that the cheese starts to brown around the edges, and the whole thing is heated throughout.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (8)

Serve warm, and top with diced avocado and chopped cilantro (optional, but highly recommended!)

More Delicious Casseroles from Around the Web

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What is your favoritecasserole recipe?

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (18)

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Jill Nystul

I’ll start by sharing a casserole I made for the family recently that was a big hit! This dish of stacked white chicken enchiladas is a real crowd-pleaser, and simple to throw together.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 11

Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 4 oz can chopped green chiles
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 soft flour tortillas halved to make 24 pieces
  • 2 cups chicken cooked and shredded
  • 2 14 oz cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups pepper jack cheese shredded
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1 cilantro chopped

Instructions

TO MAKE THE ENCHILADA SAUCE

  • Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat.Add the flour, and stir frequently until the mixture browns a bit, about 1 minute.

  • Add one cup of the chicken stock, and whisk until the mixture combines. Then, add the other cup of chicken stock, as well as the green chiles and cumin, and whisk until combined. Let the mixture continue cooking until it starts to simmer and thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.

  • Stir in the sour cream, and whisk to incorporate it throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Remove the pan from heat and set aside.

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13” casserole dish.

TO ASSEMBLE THE ENCHILADAS

  • Layer in the following order: 8 tortilla halves, arranged in a flat layer; 1/3 of the enchilada sauce; 1/2 of the shredded chicken; 1/2 of the black beans; 1/3 of the pepper jack cheese

  • Repeat these layers a second time. For the final layer, put down the remaining tortilla halves, sauce, and the top with cheese.

  • Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

  • Remove the foil from the casserole dish and bake for an additional 15 minutes

  • Serve warm, and top with diced avocado and chopped cilantro (optional, but highly recommended!)

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 17gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 548mgPotassium: 403mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 515IUVitamin C: 3.8mgCalcium: 304mgIron: 2.6mg

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In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

Fry each of your tortillas in hot oil before adding in your enchilada filling. This will help keep the tortillas from soaking up too much of your sauce too quickly, which can also cause them to break apart.

How to make enchiladas that aren t soggy? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Do you cover enchiladas when you bake them? ›

Roll up tortillas; place seam sides down and widthwise in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spread with salsa; sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

Tortillas: Corn tortillas are traditionally used in Mexican-style enchiladas, but I typically use flour tortillas (which are more commonly used in Tex-Mex and American-style enchiladas) since they are much easier to roll. That said, just about any style of tortillas will work in this recipe.

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

Las Palmas makes the best green enchilada sauce at the grocery store. It's a little tangy, super savory, and it tastes very fresh, even though it's canned enchilada sauce. If you're a green sauce lover, you will be thrilled with this premade enchilada sauce. You won't just want to stop at enchiladas!

What is the best cheese to melt on enchiladas? ›

Use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for the best melting and flavor. A rustic cut blend of 4 cheese is the best all-around cheese for enchiladas. Look for one that includes Montery Jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso Quesadilla Cheese. Avoid using all cheddar as it can be too oily.

How to keep tortillas from getting soggy in enchiladas casserole? ›

Traditional enchiladas are made with less sauce but, because the tortillas are coated in sauce, it's more evenly distributed throughout the dish. And, with less sauce, it's less likely your tortillas will sog out and disintegrate.

Can you put too much sauce on enchiladas? ›

Another thing that adversely affects enchiladas is the addition of too much sauce. If you've ever thought, "There is no such thing as too much sauce," you might want to think again. Although it might be tempting to dump the whole serving of sauce in, this can actually be an enormous mistake.

What goes with chicken enchiladas? ›

Chopped salad, rice pilaf, fresh guacamole, and street corn dip – these all go great with chicken enchiladas! This iconic tortilla dish can be made with slow cooker shredded chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken, a great main course!

Do you put sauce on enchiladas before or after baking? ›

Step 1: Make 10 minute homemade red enchilada sauce using fridge and pantry staples. Step 2: Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese into the centers of corn tortillas then roll and place inside a casserole dish. Step 3: Cover with red sauce then bake.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Roll up tightly and place seam side down in the baking dish. Spoon the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and scatter over the reserved cheese. Grease a large sheet of foil with cooking spray or oil and cover the baking dish, grease side down.

How long to cook enchiladas in the oven? ›

Wrap tortillas tightly around filling, placing seam side down in baking dish. Top enchiladas with enchilada sauce and remaining cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted.

Do you put enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan? ›

Take both of the casserole dishes and smear 1/4 cup of sauce on the bottom of each pan. Then take a tortilla and spoon 1-2 scoops of meat mixture into the tortilla. Next, spoon a drizzle of enchilada sauce, and finish off with a sprinkle of cheeses. Roll the tortilla tightly and place in casserole dish.

Are chicken enchiladas better with green or red sauce? ›

If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.

How do you make enchilada sauce taste better? ›

You might want to up the spices a bit. The sauce won't taste quite like the enchilada sauce you might buy at the store, but it will still be good! Change it up: The chili powder, cumin and garlic powder are essential here, but feel free to change up the other spices to suit your preferences.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

How do you Dr up enchilada sauce? ›

Add seasonings - Cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, etc. are great ways to punch up the flavor of canned enchilada sauce. You might also consider adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

References

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