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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 and Substitutions
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil – canola oil or olive oil
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons Gebhardt Chili Powder – We prefer Gebhardt brand, but any brand of chili powder works.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth – or chicken stock or vegetable broth
- corn tortillas – We usually roll about 12 enchiladas
- Mexican blend cheese – about 3-4 cups. 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.
Cheese Enchiladas
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.
Video
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
How to Make Flan
9 hrs 10 mins
Cheesecake Chimichanga
30 mins
Carmelitas
45 mins
More Enchilada Recipes
Collections
This recipe was first shared February 2013.
When i dipped the corn toRtillas in the sauce they fell a part. Should i haVe cooled the sauce first. It Was a mess.
Oh, no..I’m sorry. Don’t leave them long in the sauce, just enough to dip. Not saying you did that, but that’s my tip. I don’t let it really cool. It is still pretty warm when I do it.
Amazing!! We added sliced olives, cilantro, and green onion to the shredded cheese blend. This dish was So incredibly yummy!!
Great additions!! I am happy you liked it! Thank you for sharing what you did!
Would love to make this tonight – how much tomato sauce? I see it mentioned but dont see it listed in The ingredients… thanks!
Sorry to get back to you too late. There is no tomato sauce in this recipe. The chili powder gives it the red color 🙂
THese enchiladas were as good as my mom’s. ??
Oh, that makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much for saying that!
These enchiladas are aMazing! My family loves them. I was asked to make them again before the leftovers were Even gone. Thank you, krIstyn!
I love hearing that! I am so glad they were a hit! Thank you for sharing that!
I admire you for your recipes which are more authentic than many on the internet. However, garlic is a new addition to Mexican food. It is now a cash crop in Mexico. Garlic is an Italian ingredient mostly. We are a old Mexican family and we never use garlic or tomato products in our food. The exception is salsa and pico de gallo and sometimes guacamole. YOur enchilada recipe is very good but different than ours. We use other ingredients not listed on your recipe but I applaud you for not using tomatoes which so many people new to Mexican food use. All in all your recipes are very good and I am sure they are and will be a success.
the … BEST BEST BEST … ever !!!!!!
I am so glad you think so!! It’s our favorite! Thank you for letting me know!
Seriously fantastic! I’ve been craving cheese enchiladas, and we have a mexican restaurant that we go to in town to get them. But after searching the web and running across this recipe, we decided to try them. Both my daughters decided to help make them. The recipe was not complicated, and They were delicious! The only comment I would make is that I didn’t have the recommended chili powder you use–instead I used McCormick’s. Is there a reason for the Gebhardt chili powder? Is it a milder brand?
Glad you found this recipe & tried them! Especially, that you liked them. No reason, we just like it 🙂
You have mentioned tomato cheese enchiladas . But i see no tomato sauce in it
No tomato sauce in this 🙂 This is an updated recipe, without it. Hope you try them!
Many years ago i leaRned how to make a meat stuffing from a wonderful mexican friend. I have lOst the recipe. With your background do you have a mexican meat stuffing recIpe? I would lOve to make it again.
Thank you.
I am so sorry, but I do not. Have you tried Pinterest?