We’ve made cheese enchiladas for decades, and over the years have perfected them to become a no-fail family favorite.
This recipe was first handed down from our great-grandma Bean Burro down to my grandma, then to my mom, and now to us! We’ve simplified it a bit over the years, but the result is still delicious and authentic.
We make these ALL of the time for our families and friends since it’s a top “Luna recipe request” – and we think it will be the same for your family. It’s simple, cheesy, easy to freeze and great to make for a crowd.
Serve these easy cheese enchiladas up with Pinto Beans, Spanish Rice, or maybe even some Beef Empanadas!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- 10 minutes of prep. Even making a homemade enchilada sauce, this recipe comes together quickly and is a no-fail!
- Authentic flavors. The flavors, spices, and cheese make these enchiladas to die for and ideal for any Mexican meal.
- Perfect for parties. Whether it’s for Christmas or a fiesta, these enchiladas (along with our Chicken Enchiladas) are the star on the menu.
Cheese Enchiladas Ingredients
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): Fat for the roux that becomes your silky enchilada sauce. Canola oil also works.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Thickens the chili gravy so it coats tortillas beautifully.
- Gebhardt chili powder (2-3 tablespoons): Signature Tex-Mex flavor and deep red color for classic sauce.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Savory backbone in the sauce.
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes, or salt (½ teaspoon): Fast, even seasoning that brightens every bite.
- Dried oregano (¼ teaspoon): Earthy, herbal note that rounds out the chili spice.
- Ground cumin (½ teaspoon): Warm depth that makes the sauce taste restaurant worthy.
- Full-sodium chicken broth (2 cups): Savory liquid that loosens the roux into a smooth, pourable sauce.
- Corn tortillas, 6 inch (9): Classic texture and flavor that soak up sauce and stay tender. We usually roll about between 9-12 enchiladas.
- Mexican blend cheese, divided (4 cups): Melts creamy inside the rolls and finishes bubbly on top. Mexican blend usually consists of Monterrey Jack cheese and Cheddar, but other great cheeses include: Colby Jack, and any other cheeses that melt easily such as Asadero and Oaxaca (also known as quesadilla cheese).
- optional toppings – sliced avocado, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, diced green onions, diced jalapeno peppers, Pico de Gallo, Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, Avocado Cream Sauce, sour cream, cotija cheese, queso fresco, or cilantro
How to Make Cheese Enchiladas
SAUCE. Add 2 tablespoons oil to a pot and heat on medium. Pour in 4 tablespoons flour and create a roux by whisking for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 3 tablespoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon oregano and mix until clumpy. see our homemade red enchilada sauce for more tips.
- Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, whisking the entire time and until there are no more clumps. Heat for about 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
ASSEMBLE. Place the 11×7-inch baking pan close to the pot of sauce, along with a bowl of shredded cheese, and the tortillas. Dip a tortilla into the sauce until soft and put into the greased dish.
- Add ¼ cup cheese roll up and push to the end of the 9×13-inch baking dish with the seam side down.
BAKE. Continue doing this with your tortillas until your pan is full. From there, you will pour the excess sauce over your tortillas. Sprinkle the top with more cheese, then bake (uncovered) in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- CHILI POWDER. We only use Gebhardt and believe it makes a difference. The flavor is unmatched, and some powders are more brown and make the enchiladas look very dark and not as red. Trust us – you’ll love Gebhardt too.
- ROLLING. For easy rolling with no cracking, we highly recommend wrapping your corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-60 seconds. They should be able to roll very easily.
- ROUX. Cook the roux 1 to 2 minutes before adding spices so the sauce tastes toasty, not floury.
- SAUCE. Whisk broth in gradually and simmer low until lightly thick, this gives a glossy, clingy sauce.
- TORTILLA TIP. Dip each tortilla in hot sauce right before filling so it rolls soft without cracking.
Cheese Enchiladas Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2-3 tablespoons Gebhardt chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes, or salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups full-sodium chicken broth
- 9 (6-inch) corn tortillas,
- 4 cups Mexican blend cheese, divided
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking together, for 1-2 minutes.
- Add chili powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, cumin and oregano and mix until clumpy. Pour in chicken broth, whisking the entire time until there are no more clumps. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 inch (or 9×13 inch) baking dish and set aside.
- After the sauce has thickened dip each tortilla in the sauce until soft and immediately put it into the prepared dish. Add ⅓ cup cheese and any meat you wish to add to the tortilla, roll it up and push it to the end of the pan.
- Repeat with all the tortillas until your pan is full. Pour remaining sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle the top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
You can add any kind of meat you like! We’ve added rotisserie chicken, Shredded Chicken, Pork Barbacoa, and even shredded beef (our Beef Enchiladas are basically this recipe with the addition of beef).
Assemble the enchiladas, cover the pan with plastic, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Wrap the pan again with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
45 mins
Mexican Street Corn Recipe
13 mins
Mexican Cornbread
50 mins
Canned Refried Beans
10 mins
Desserts
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 45 mins
Easy Flan Recipe
9 hrs 10 mins
Cheesecake Chimichanga
30 mins
Carmelitas
45 mins
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This recipe was first shared February 2013.
Thank you so much for sharing this! It was seriously the easiest to make and even my pickiest eaters gobbled it up. The entire meaal was gone before I could even snap a picture and share on IG. This one will definitely be on repeat! ?
Yay!! I love hearing that!! Thank you for letting me know!
Easy and delicious! I just moved to georgia from texas and My family so needed this! Thank you!!!
These enchiladas are on regular roTation at my house! My kids are the pickiest eaters But they love these enchiladas! And i love making the homemade sauce…its simple Enough for me (someone who is terrible at cooking!) and is so much yummier than the stuff ib the can!
Yes, homemade is so much better! Glad your picky eaters like it! Thank you!
I made the (no tomato) recipe with the chili powder (even got Gebhardt that you recommended!) and my family loved it! We live in south Texas and this is spot on restaurant style cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. I had tortillas that were 1/2 corn and 1/2 flour and they were a little too soft for my liking, but my husband said he loved them kind of squishy. I would definitely stick to all corn tortillas next time if i’m cooking to my liking. Got the kids involved in making them-my 8 year old dipped the tortillas, my 5 year old did the cheese, and i did the rolling. Thanks for this recipe!
You are so welcome! I love that you got your kids involved. Yes, I prefer the corn too. Thank you so much!
Made these and could not get them out Of the pan In one piece. They all got mushie and fell apart. Will nOt make again. They looked like garbage on the plate. I could not Separate the enchiladas as the shells got so Soggy and fell apart. I Don’t know how you make aHead of time and keep them Whole as mine were extremely soggy when i made right away.
Thank you for trying them. I have not had that issue, so I am not sure what went wrong.
These were terrific and the Family loved them. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
You are so welcome! I am glad your family liked them! Thank you!
I’m always craving real enchiladas and that canned sauce just doesn’t taste good! These were so good and tasted just like my favorite Mexican restaurant!
I love hearing that!! Thank you for trying them!!
I was determined to recreate enchiladas like we had at a mexican RESTAURANT. These were very close and my kids loved them too. Not very often do i have Them ask to have a meal made again.
Thank you for sharing that! I love to hear when families, especially kids love the recipe!
Hi,
I JUST MADE THIS SAUCE, ENCHILADAS ARE IN THE OVEN. I COULDMT STOP LICKING THE SPOON OR SCRAPING THE SAUCE FROM THE PAN TO EAT IT! Tastes just like a good enchilada sauce in a mexican restaurant. Please don’t use tomato sauce, just follow the recipe it’s mucho delicioso, muy bien gracias Amiga POR salsa receipt! Besos sorry for cap lock, didn’t have the heart to redo when I noticed. Con permiso por favor.
Shellee
Awe, thank you so much for sharing that!! It’s our favorite!
This is the best enchilada recipe i have ever made!! Truly AUTHENTIC!! My damily abso lived them as well
Thank you for saying that! They are our go-to! I am so glad you liked them!