Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish that are fun and easy to make. They are made by filling a tortilla with cheese, meat, beans, or other fillings, then rolling it up and smothering it in a flavorful chili sauce. While it may seem intimidating, rolling enchiladas is a cinch once you get the hang of it. This article will teach you everything you need to know to roll perfect enchiladas every time.
Ingredients
The basic ingredients you’ll need for enchiladas are:
- Tortillas – Corn or flour tortillas work well. Make sure they are pliable.
- Filling – Cheese, shredded chicken, ground beef, refried beans, etc.
- Enchilada sauce – Red or green sauce smothered over the rolled enchiladas.
- Toppings – Sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, etc.
You can get creative with different fillings and toppings. Just stick to the basic method below for rolling them up perfectly every time.
Prep the Tortillas
Start by heating up the tortillas. There are a few ways to do this:
- Place tortillas in a microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable
- Heat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20-30 seconds per side
- Place in a tortilla warmer if you have one
Heating the tortillas makes them soft and flexible so they are easier to roll without cracking. Be careful not to overheat them too much or they can become brittle.
Add the Filling
Once the tortillas are heated, add about 1/4 cup of filling into the center of each tortilla. Some good basic fillings to try are:
- Shredded cheese – cheddar, Monterey jack, queso, etc.
- Shredded chicken – rotisserie or cooked chicken breast
- Ground beef – seasoned with taco seasoning
- Refried beans
- Sauteed veggies like peppers and onions
You can also mix and match fillings like cheese with chicken or beans with ground beef. Get creative with your favorite flavors!
Roll ‘Em Up
Now comes the fun part – rolling up the enchiladas. Here is a step-by-step process:
- Place the filled tortilla on a flat surface with the filling facing you.
- Fold in the sides and then fold up the bottom over the filling.
- Continue tightly rolling up the tortilla around the filling until you have a rolled enchilada.
- Place seam side down in a baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
It may take a try or two to get the rolling technique down. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfect or if some filling falls out. Just pinch any openings closed. As long as they are fairly snugly rolled, they will turn out delicious!
Smother in Sauce
Once all the enchiladas are rolled up in the baking dish, it’s time to cover them with sauce. Ladle your favorite enchilada sauce over the top until all the rolled tortillas are well coated.
Some sauce options are:
- Red enchilada sauce
- Green enchilada sauce
- Mole sauce
- Queso cheese sauce
- Chili gravy
Completely smothering the enchiladas in sauce helps all the flavors come together and prevents them from drying out when baking.
Bake Them
The final step is baking the sauced enchiladas to perfection. Here is how:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until hot and bubbly.
Baking helps the tortillas soften up, the cheese melt beautifully, and all the fillings and sauce meld together.
Garnish and Serve
Once the enchiladas come out of the oven, let them sit for 5 minutes before serving. Then garnish them with any desired toppings like:
- Sour cream
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped green onions
- Cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Queso fresco
- Hot sauce
Serve the saucy, cheesy enchiladas right away while hot. Enjoy them on their own or pair them with spanish rice and beans.
Key Tips for Rolling
Here are some helpful tips to get perfectly rolled enchiladas every time:
- Heat the tortillas before rolling so they are soft and pliable.
- Don’t overfill them – too much filling will make them hard to roll.
- Use both hands to roll them and tuck in the sides as you go.
- Roll them fairly snug but not too tight.
- Place them seam side down so they don’t unroll.
- Smother them generously in sauce to prevent drying out.
Fillings to Try
While cheese, chicken, beef, and beans are classic fillings, feel free to get creative with these delicious options:
- Breakfast enchiladas – Eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, potatoes
- Shrimp enchiladas – Grilled shrimp, salsa, cheese
- Veggie enchiladas – Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onions
- Sweet potato enchiladas – Baked sweet potato, black beans, queso fresco
The possibilities are endless for mixing up the fillings!
Enchilada Sauces
While classic red and green sauces are always tasty, branch out into more unique sauces too:
- Mole sauce – Rich Mexican chocolate sauce
- Poblano sauce – Creamy sauce made from roasted poblanos
- Tomatillo salsa – Tangy green tomatillo sauce
- Pumpkin seed sauce – Bright green sauce thickened with pumpkin seeds
Feel free to make your own homemade enchilada sauces or use quality store-bought options.
Freezing Leftovers
Have leftover enchiladas? Here are some freezing tips:
- Let the cooked enchiladas cool completely before freezing.
- Portion them out into foil pans or freezer bags.
- Wrap tightly and seal to prevent freezer burn.
- Label with contents and freeze-by date.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
Frozen enchiladas will keep for 2-3 months. Reheat gently in the oven until hot in the center.
Troubleshooting
Having issues getting your enchiladas rolled up? Here are some fixes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Tortillas crack when rolling | Heat tortillas longer so they are more pliable |
| Filling falls out | Don’t overfill. Use less filling per tortilla |
| Enchiladas won’t stay rolled | Tuck in sides and roll tighter. Place seam side down |
| Enchiladas stick to pan | Grease baking dish and be sure sauce coats the top |
Conclusion
Rolling flavorful, hearty enchiladas is easy once you know how. Just be sure to heat the tortillas, fill them moderately, roll them snugly, smother them in sauce, and bake until heated through. Feel free to get creative with fillings and sauces too. Homemade enchiladas make for a deliciously impressive Mexican meal the whole family will love. With this complete guide, you’ll be rolling enchiladas like a pro!