Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (2024)

72 Comments / By Andrew / October 15, 2012 / Recipes

5 Reviews / 4.4 Average

This recipe is a guest post by Andrew, our "Tech Guy" who also has a real food blog of his own called Eating Rules…to learn more about Andrew check out ourteam page!

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This recipe is a guest post by Andrew, our “Tech Guy” who also has a real food blog of his own called Eating Rules…to learn more about Andrew check out ourteam page!
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Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (1)

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Thank you Lisa for inviting me to share another guest post with your readers! We’re currently in the middle of theOctober Unprocessed challenge, and this is a perfect “unprocessed” recipe to make for your family – or for yourself, with plenty of leftovers!

Try these Gluten Free Enchiladas too!

I may not yet have kids of my own (I added that “yet” in there to give my mom hope), but I sure do know how to feed a crowd. Every year I throw a big New Year’s party in which we do a lot of cooking and eating together… oftentimes we’re making dinner for about 30 people.

So we’ve learned how to feed a hungry group quickly and efficiently. A few years back, my friend Dan made “Enchilada Casserole” for the crew, and it immediately became a part of our holiday dinner rotation. It’s easy to prepare, and barely any extra work to double or triple the recipe. You can also prepare the casserole in advance and just throw it in the oven an hour before dinnertime.

It’s easily adaptable to special diets, too.Already vegetarian (adding meat issonot necessary — it’s hearty enough!), we usually make one “regular” version and one vegan version (just skip the cheese), and most people have trouble deciding which they like more. If you use corn tortillas, it can be gluten-free, too. A couple of years ago, I started using 100% whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour tortillas, and people didn’t even notice.

It helps to think of this dish as sort of a “Mexican Lasagna.” You’re basically layering the bean mixture, tortillas, veggies, and cheese the same way you’d build a lasagna. As you layer things together, tear the tortillas in halves or quarters as necessary to create a single layer. I usually start with one whole tortilla in the middle, and then tear another in half to create flat edges, which go on the outside of the pan. I may tear a third one in quarters and use that to fill in the gaps. It’s good if they overlap a little. Like so:

Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (2)

Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (3)

Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole

This recipe is a guest post by Andrew, our "Tech Guy" who also has a real food blog of his own called Eating Rules…to learn more about Andrew check out ourteam page!

5 Reviews / 4.4 Average

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 50 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Method: Freezer Friendly

Diet: Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Servings: 10 people

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Ingredients

Sauce Base & Tortillas

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 cups enchilada sauce (or one large can)
  • 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 2 cups refried beans (low-sodium if canned, or see note for Lisa's recipe)
  • 10 corn tortillas (or wheat)

Extra Goodies

  • 1 can green chiles (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 jalapeño (diced (check for spiciness; jalapeños vary considerably))
  • 1 cup mushrooms (quartered)
  • 1 bunch spinach ((frozen or canned works too))
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup potatoes (sliced into 1/4″ rounds and then parboiled for 3-5 minutes)
  • 1 cup cheese (shredded)
  • 1 avocado (sliced)

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute the diced onion for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften.

  • Reduce heat to medium-low and add the enchilada sauce, black beans, and refried beans to the saucepan. Stir slowly until mixed thoroughly.

  • Add any “extra goodies” to the sauce (except cheese or avocado) and continue heating and stirring until it starts to simmer. Be sure to stir continuously, else it may start to splatter as it comes to a boil.

  • Once everything is mixed well, turn off the heat and begin layering the casserole in a lightly greased 9×13 baking pan. Start by adding a thin layer of the sauce to the bottom (if you start with tortillas first, they may burn). Next add a layer of tortillas (see diagram above). Then alternate sauce and tortillas until there’s about 1/4″ of space left (or you run out of sauce or tortillas!), ending with a layer of sauce on top. Be sure all the tortillas are covered by sauce; any tortilla that’s not covered will dry out.

  • Sprinkle the cheese on top and cover with aluminum foil. "Tent” the foil so it’s not resting on the cheese (this makes it easier to remove later).

  • Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes. (If doubling the recipe or using a deeper pan, you may want to bake a little longer.) Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until cheese begins to brown. Allow to cool for at least ten minutes then serve with a few slices of avocado on top.

Notes

Lisa's refried beans recipe - Easy Slow Cooker Refried Beans

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 1069mg46%

Potassium 648mg19%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 12g50%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 13g26%

Vitamin A 3745IU75%

Vitamin C 23.4mg28%

Calcium 180mg18%

Iron 3.8mg21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you? Check It Out

Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (4)Andrew Wilder is a self-proclaimed “Healthy Foodie,” and he writes about the confluence of healthy and delicious on his blog, Eating Rules. He also leads the October Unprocessed challenge each year, trying to get as many people as possible to eat no processed food whatsoever for the entire month. 6,000 people have taken the pledge so far, and it’s not too late for you to join in, too! You can also find Andrew on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest.

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but 100 Days of Real Food will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us spread our message!

Guest Recipe: Unprocessed Enchilada Casserole - 100 Days of Real Food (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep enchilada casserole from getting soggy? ›

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.

How do you make enchiladas that don't fall apart? ›

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.

Can you prep enchiladas ahead of time? ›

To make ahead, cover the unbaked enchiladas and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or wrap tightly with foil and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. If refrigerated, take the casserole out approximately one hour before baking to come to room temperature.

Should you bake enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

How do you soften corn tortillas for enchiladas without oil? ›

Wrap a stack of tortillas in damp paper towels or a damp kitchen towel, then wrap in plastic wrap or place in a microwave-safe resealable plastic bag (keep the bag open to vent). Microwave until warm and flexible, about 1 minute.

Why are my homemade enchiladas soggy? ›

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.

How to make enchiladas more crispy? ›

Rebecca, try this: Heat one cup vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until the oil bubbles immediately when you stick the edge of a tortilla onto the surface. Working one at a time, fry a tortilla, turning once, until it just starts to brown and crisp (about 10 seconds per side).

How do you moisten a casserole? ›

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

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.

Is it OK to use flour tortillas for enchiladas? ›

A simple, quick, easy beef enchiladas recipe. Ground beef and onion are wrapped in flour tortillas, topped with Cheddar cheese and black olives, then baked. This is also great with leftover chicken, shredded beef, or turkey.

Do you put enchilada sauce before or after cooking? ›

Step 1: Make 10 minute homemade red enchilada sauce using fridge and pantry staples. Step 2: Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese into the centers of corn tortillas then roll and place inside a casserole dish. Step 3: Cover with red sauce then bake.

How many enchiladas per person? ›

At 3 enchiladas per person this is a generous serving size. We thought these chicken enchiladas were very tasty. They do need a side dish though; we had some leftover rice and beans from another meal and then did a southwest salad for a vegetable.

Can you eat enchiladas left out overnight? ›

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and safety basics states cooked food can be left at room temperature up to two hours. If the temperature outside (or inside your house) is 90°F or above, you should cut that time in half.

How do you fix watery enchilada sauce? ›

The simplest would be to make a thin paste of 1 teaspoon of cornflour or corn starch and water, add it to the sauce, and simmer it for 3 minutes.

Why do you cover enchiladas with foil? ›

Foil Covering: Most enchiladas are covered with foil while baking. This helps to trap steam and heat, ensuring that the enchiladas cook evenly and stay moist. The foil is typically removed towards the end of the baking time to allow the cheese on top to melt and develop a golden brown crust [1].

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