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!)

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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 do you keep enchiladas from getting mushy? ›

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.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

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.

Should you cover enchiladas when you bake them? ›

It isn't necessary to cover enchiladas while baking. All of an enchiladas components are cooked and you are just heating them through when you bake them. Ideally your ingredients will be room temperature, not ice cold, when you assemble the enchiladas.

What makes enchiladas taste better? ›

Toppings: When it comes to enchiladas, I vote the more toppings the merrier! Any combination of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, diced red onion (or quick pickled red onions), sliced radishes, fresh or pickled jalapeños, sour cream or Mexican crema, and/or extra cheese would be delicious!

Which sauce is better for enchiladas? ›

Try Val Vita, a is popular tomato sauce in North West Mexico, from there you can ad more spice and condiments, mixed with Pato Sauce can also make the trick for a quick sauce for enchiladas. Another one would be fry some chile ancho, pasilla, guajillo, or prefered one, some onion, garlic and mix it with the Val Vita.

Why is my enchilada casserole soggy? ›

If you are actually following a quality enchilada recipe, you should have already dipped your tortillas into your chosen sauce before baking. This process softens the tortilla and infuses it with flavor, so if you just dump the rest of the good stuff on top of your dish before baking, you are begging for a soggy mess.

What cheese is best for enchiladas? ›

Pepper jack is great too. Queso fresco is soft, not greasy when it melts, cotija adds a dry saltiness to green enchiladas, combine with Jack which is like asadero, mozzarella, or queso quesadilla. If you don't have options, buy a blend and add pepper jack. Use a fresh cheese, like panela or canasta.

What kind of cheese do Mexican restaurants use in enchiladas? ›

Traditional Mexican enchiladas are usually finished with Mexican crema and queso fresco or cotija cheese, instead of the yellow cheese typical of Tex-Mex enchiladas.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

After you fry the tortillas, dip both sides in your delicious sauce and cover the entire surface. Then stuff and roll.

Do Mexicans prefer flour or corn? ›

Corn tortillas are seen as more authentic to Mexican dishes, corn has been a staple ingredient in Mexican cooking for thousands of years.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the bean mixture in the center of each warm tortilla. Divide the cheese between the tortillas, reserving 1/4 to sprinkle 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.

Can you pre make enchiladas or will they get soggy? ›

If you would like to make a pan of enchiladas in advance, follow the recipe instructions through step 3 (assembling the enchiladas). Wrap the pan tightly with foil. Then you can either refrigerate the enchiladas for up to 3 days, then bake as directed.

How to cook real good enchiladas in the oven? ›

Salsa Roja Chicken Enchiladas
  1. Microwave - Poke holes in the film and cook for 3:30 - 4:30 minutes, let sit for 1 minute before removing. ...
  2. Oven - Remove the film and cook at 400° for 28-32 minutes.
  3. Air Fryer - Remove the film and cook at 375° for 10-12 minutes.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Enchiladas are laden with sauce and fillings, and you need a tortilla that will hold up to all the moisture, so you should always opt for corn over flour.

What cheese melts the best for 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 do you keep flour tortillas from getting soggy in enchiladas? ›

Usually when I've made them I just put sauce on top, not on the bottom, and just down the middle so the edges are exposed. And I make the sauce on the thick side so it is not too watery. I bake them in the oven too, and they are never too soggy, but you could just grill to minimise the sauce absorption.

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