When it comes to making delicious Mexican enchiladas, the cheese you choose can make all the difference. The right cheese will add flavor, creaminess, and the perfect melt factor that takes your enchiladas to the next level. But with so many cheese options available, it can be tricky to know which one is best suited for enchiladas.
The Main Cheese Options for Enchiladas
There are three main types of cheese that are commonly used in authentic Mexican enchiladas:
- Monterey Jack
- Cheddar
- Queso Fresco
Each of these has their own unique characteristics that make them a good melty, creamy choice for enchiladas. Here’s an overview of each:
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a semi-soft white cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a very mild flavor and melts extremely well, which makes it a popular choice for dishes like enchiladas, quesadillas, and nachos.
Pros:
- Melts smoothly with just a bit of ooze
- Mild flavor doesn’t compete with other ingredients
- Creamy texture when melted
Cons:
- Can separate into oil and solids when overheated
- Not as readily available as cheddar
Cheddar
Aged cheddar is another excellent melting cheese. It’s made from cow’s milk and has a distinctly sharp, tangy flavor when aged. Young or mild cheddar can also work well in enchiladas.
Pros:
- Readily accessible and affordable
- Melts smoothly
- Sharp flavor balances spice of enchilada sauce
Cons:
- Aged cheddar can become grainy when melted
- Flavor can overwhelm other ingredients
Queso Fresco
Queso fresco is a soft, crumbly cheese made from cow or goat’s milk. It’s white in color with a mild flavor.
Pros:
- Traditional choice for authentic enchiladas
- Crumbles nicely over enchiladas
- Fresh, mild flavor
Cons:
- Doesn’t melt well
- Can fall off enchiladas easily
- Harder to find than cheddar or Monterey Jack
The Best Cheese for Enchiladas
Taking into account meltability, flavor, and accessibility, the best cheese for enchiladas is a combination of Monterey Jack and cheddar.
Using half Monterey Jack and half cheddar gives you the best of both worlds – creamy melting ability from the Jack and sharp flavor from the cheddar. The two balance each other out. Cheddar alone can be too strong and greasy. Monterey Jack alone doesn’t have much flavor. But together, they make the perfect cheese filling.
Cheddar and Jack are also more readily available than queso fresco in most regular grocery stores.
How to Choose a Cheddar
When buying cheddar, opt for a high-quality block that has been aged between 1-3 years. This will give you a nice balance of flavor and texture. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses, as they often have additives that inhibit smooth melting.
Some good varieties to try are:
- Cabot Sharp Cheddar
- Tillamook Medium Cheddar
- Kerrygold Aged Cheddar
How to Choose a Monterey Jack
With Monterey Jack, choose a high-quality block cheese and avoid preshredded varieties. Go for a traditional Monterey Jack rather than pepper Jack or other flavored Jack cheeses, which can compete with the other enchilada flavors.
Recommended options:
- Sargento Whole Milk Monterey Jack
- Boar’s Head Monterey Jack
- Tillamook Monterey Jack
Preparing the Cheese Filling
When making your enchiladas, it’s best to grate the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded. This helps the cheese melt smoothly.
Grate about 1 cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Then mix together before spreading inside the enchilada tortillas.
If you want an extra creamy filling, you can also add 1-2 Tbsp of heavy cream, crema, mascarpone, or Mexican crema before filling the tortillas.
Other Cheeses to Consider
While cheddar and Monterey Jack make the ideal cheese duo, there are a few other cheeses you can experiment with:
- Asadero – A soft white Mexican cheese similar to Monterey Jack
- Chihuahua – A mildly flavored melting cheese
- Manchego – A Spanish cheese with a sheep’s milk tang
- Pepper Jack – Can add a kick of spice
- Oaxaca – Stretchy string cheese used in authentic recipes
- Queso Blanco – A fresh Mexican cheese
These can be used alone or mixed with cheddar or Jack in small amounts. But for best classic results, cheddar and Monterey Jack still can’t be beat!
Topping The Enchiladas
A final topping of cheese helps finish off your enchiladas with gooey goodness. The most common options are:
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack – Layer over enchiladas before baking
- Queso Fresco – Sprinkle over enchiladas after baking
- Cotija – A firm crumbly Mexican cheese
Conclusion
Choosing the right cheese is one of the most important factors when making delicious enchiladas. For the ideal texture and flavor, go with a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar. They melt and combine perfectly to make the tastiest enchilada fillings.
With this cheese combo for your next Mexican night, you’ll have a dish everyone will love!