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These Red Cheese Enchiladas are an old family favorite recipe that is authentic and simply delicious!! They are cheesy, saucy, and loved by all.
The Best Cheese Enchiladas
We’ve made cheese enchiladas for decades, and they are INCREDIBLE!!
With our Hispanic heritage we have been surrounded by amazing cooks our whole lives. This recipe was first handed down from our great-grandma Bean Burro down to my grandma, then to my mom and now to us.
Minor tweaks have been made over the years, but we are confident they are even better than the restaurants and are perfect served with Pinto Beans, Spanish Rice, or maybe even some Beef Empanadas.
Why we love them:
- Simple. Even making a homemade enchilada sauce, this recipe comes together quick and is no-fail!
- Delicious. The flavors and spices and cheese make these enchiladas to die-for and perfect for any Mexican meal.
- Perfect for parties. Whether it’s for Christmas or fiesta, these enchiladas (along with our Chicken Enchiladas) are the star on the menu.
Ingredients
- vegetable oil
- all-purpose flour
- Gebhardt Chili Powder – our favorite chili powder (but any brand works)
- garlic powder
- oregano
- salt
- cumin
- chicken broth
- Corn Tortillas
- Mexican Blend Cheese – “Mexican blend cheese”, is what is typically used in restaurant enchiladas. It is a blend of cheeses usually consisting of Monterrey Jack, Cheddar or Colby Jack, and cheeses that melt easily such as asadero and oaxaca (also known as quesadilla cheese).
How to Make Cheese Enchiladas
- BEGIN SAUCE. To make these enchiladas, you have to begin with the enchilada sauce. This is made by adding oil to the pot and heating on Medium heat. Pour in flour and create a roux by whisking together for 1-2 minutes.
- SPICES. Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and oregano and mix until clumpy.
- BROTH. Pour in chicken broth, whisking the entire time and until there are no more clumps. Heat for about 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
- ASSEMBLE. Get your pan close to your sauce, along with a bowl of shredded cheese, and your tortillas. Dip each tortilla into the sauce until soft and put into the greased dish.
- FILL + ROLL. Add 1/4 cup cheese and roll up and push to the end of the pan.
- 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) at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
PRO TIP: Easy Rolling
Our favorite way to make sure tortillas roll up easily is by wrapping the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 30 seconds. You can also flash fry them in oil for a few seconds on each side before dipping them in the sauce. Either method makes for easy rolling.
Cheese Enchiladas
Restaurant-Style Red Cheese Enchiladas are an old family favorite recipe that is simply the best!! They are cheesy, saucy, and so yummy.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp Gebhardt Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Corn Tortillas
- Mexican Blend Cheese
Instructions
- Add oil to pot and heat on Medium. Pour in flour and whisk together and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and oregano and mix until clumpy. Pour in chicken broth, whisking the entire time and until there are no more clumps. Heat for 15 minutes or until thickened.
- After you have made your sauce, you will want to dip your corn tortillas in the sauce until they are soft and immediately put it into a greased 11×7 pan.
- From there you will add cheese (I use the Mexican Blended Cheese), roll it up and push it to the end of the pan.
- 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. (You can also prepare this in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook).
- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
Video
Notes
MAKE AHEAD OF TIME. These can made ahead of time, covered and refrigerated for 24 hours in advance.
STORE in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FREEZE by making a disposable tray, covering tightly with foil and placing in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 64kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Fat: 4g, Sodium: 480mg, Potassium: 62mg, Vitamin C: 5.4mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
What are the best toppings for cheese enchiladas?
- Fresh vegetables: sliced avocado, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, diced green onions, diced jalapeno peppers
- Salsas: Pico de Gallo, Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, Avocado Cream Sauce
- Dairy and cheese: sour cream, cotija cheese, queso fresco
Can I add meat to these enchiladas?
- Yes, 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).
Can cheese enchiladas be made ahead of time?
- These can made ahead of time, covered and refrigerated for 24 hours in advance.
How to store cheese enchiladas?
- STORE in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- FREEZE by making a disposable tray, covering tightly with foil and placing in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
The top recipe doesn’t have any tomato sauce or tomato component. I noticed at the last minute and added tomato paste because that’s all I had 🙁
Yes, that is an updated version. No tomato sauce in it. They should be ok. Let me know how they turn out 🙂
Exatly what is Chili Puree ? How can you make it yourself ?
It’s like a chili paste. I make it by doing steps 1 & 2 in the instructions for this recipe, but you can find a lot of recipes online. Hope that helps!
No tomato sauce in the new recipe?
Nope, it’s a homemade sauce 🙂
Can you add ground beef? At what point in recipe would I add?
I have never added beef. If you want to, I would add it as you are rolling them up. I would have it browned, ready to go. Hope that helps! Good luck!
My favorite food is Mexican. Do you have a recipe for the white cheese for dipping?
What exactly are you looking for? A dip or like queso? Or, something different?
My family browned the flour, used Eagle Brand Chili, and fresh garlic. But other than that your recipe is the closest I’ve seen to what we do. Of course, I have been trying to find the measurements since my family taught me to use a handful of this and a bit of that, until it tasted ‘right’. I appreciate your recipe. Thank you.
Thanks so much! I’ll have to try your way 🙂
thank you. I made these tonight. But i had trouble dipping the tortillas in the sauce; they fell apart. So I resorted to the microwave. Iguess they were too dry (i just bought them today) Anyway, i smeared the tortillas with the sauce, front and back, microwaved them for 25 sec each, and they were perfect to put the cheese on and roll up. Can’t wait for dinner. I’m also making the rice.
What a great idea about the microwave! Thanks for sharing that! I’m glad you like this recipe and with the rice, it’s perfect!! Thanks again!
Having grown up in California, these dishes are home cooking to me.
I try never to use anything prepared but from scratch. The first recipe for red sauce is terrific. Easy for new cooks but there aren’t many things easier than a rich tasty red sauce. When the recipe calls for garlic powder I prefer using minced garlic and saute to bring out the flair.
When my sauce has everything in it I use a stick blender to make it velvety smooth
Appearance is everything.
Thank you so much for sharing that!!! You’re right, appearance is everything!
Kristyn, I your red cheese enchiladas tonight along with your Mexican rice!!!! Omg it was so delish!! My family loved it! It was like eating at a restraunt but a lot cheaper! I love your food and I follo your boards! Thank you so much for helpingthis white girl cook so good!!!!!
Sorry about the typos! Lol I made these tonight!
LOL..you’re funny!! Thanks so much and thanks for letting me know!! Anyone make it 🙂
I think your food must be Tex-Mex because traditional Mexican food does not use tomato products the way you use them here. Must be U.S. influence. Canned enchilada sauce uses tomatoes. It was designed for people who are not Mexican.
I make Enchiladas (make my own sauce), Mexican rice (does not have tomato products), and hubby makes chile rellenos according to Mexican tradition handed down from his mother from Mexico.
I have been to Mexico many times and the food there is not made this way.
I don’t know any Mexican family who makes their food like this, nor have I been to any restaurant that makes food like yours except in Texas. Ours family doesn’t.
Sorry I cannot support your recipes. I feel bad for you but I am sure your family and friends like your cooking but please title it Tex-Mex.
Wow, seriously? Your comment was incredibly rude and incorrect.
My husband and his family immigrated here from Guadalajara. My father-in-law owned a restaraunt in Jalisco for many years before coming to the US. He still, at 84 years old, cooks daily. He uses tomato products in many of his dishes, including his rice, and it is by far the BEST rice, far superior to anything in a restaurant here.
So before spouting out your rude opinions, be sure you know what you are talking about first.
I don’t know anything about you or your family but I do know how ignorant you are about mexican food.There are many and different ways to cook food and Mexico has a great variety of ways depending on the region .There is no such thing as one certain way.Like I said you are either ignorant or limited in what you know.So, keep your comment to yourself.
Since my family is Mexican, I can speak with authority. I did not resort to name calling here and if opinions and comments are not wanted then the blog to should be closed to them.
I think there is no need for name calling. I did not call you ignorant. I am aware that there are different regions with different styles of cooking in Mexico. The traditional Mexican food I am aware of has been the only kind that I ever had in several various regions of Mexico and in California, in particular, and at home. Tex-Mex food uses tomatoes in their recipes. Sorry if you think my opinion is rude.
A lot of people think that about a differing opinion. Sorry, I really get tired of people mis labeling their recipes and therefore feel compelled to offer my opinion. If opinions are not welcome on this blog, then it should be closed to comments. If you like the recipes, it is fine with me. If people like Tex-Mex food that is o.k. too. Tex-Mex is not a dirty word it just is not traditional according to, in particular, Northern and mid Mexican and Californian cooking or cooking in our family which is very extensive. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. If you don’t agree, fine. Perhaps you and others might learn that not everyone has to agree with you or accept *your* opinion. Perhaps you should point the finger at yourself. And, since when are you appointed an authority.?
There are many different ways to cook Mexican food. My mom is Hispanic & her grandma came from Mexico & this is how they were taught, which is how I cook my Mexican recipes. I am sure they are all great recipes & none of them are the wrong way. That is what’s great about cooking, you can add, take out whatever you like & make them your own. 🙂
The comments are very rude. I am Mexican and Salvadorean (not from Texas), and both families use tomato products. “I am Mexican, so I can speak with authority”. Please, you act like you are running something…Is that your excuse for having no class or life, and trolling someone’s recipe website, that you claim you don’t need? If you know so much, then cook YOUR recipes, and leave this nice lady alone. It is HER site, so she speaks with authority. Imagine having nothing better to do with your life than tell people how to cook, and label their recipes on their website, that you claim you don’t need LOL, pathetic.