Cheese Enchiladas 

Updated Oct. 28, 2024

Cheese Enchiladas 
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
4(1,529)
Comments
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Enchiladas are an essential component of Houston’s ebullient, dynamic foodways. Mexican in origin, while distinctly Tex-Mex at the same time, the dish adapts to its surroundings. Each enchilada recipe is deeply local: The style ubiquitous in Monterrey, Mexico, will be different from those found in San Antonio or El Paso or Mexico City. But from enchilada to enchilada, the common denominator is deliciousness. In “The Enchilada Queen Cookbook,” Sylvia Casares notes, “for Tex-Mex-style cheese enchiladas, yellow cheese, such as Cheddar, is the traditional choice” yielding “the quintessential Tex-Mex enchilada.” 

Featured in: All Enchiladas Are Perfect. But These Are My Favorite

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 3tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola, plus more for greasing
  • 3tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 2tablespoons ground red chile powder (see Tip)
  • 2teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more for sprinkling
  • 2cups beef broth
  • Salt
  • 10corn tortillas
  • 1pound shredded Cheddar (5 cups)
  • ½ cup finely diced white onion
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

860 calories; 60 grams fat; 28 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 21 grams monounsaturated fat; 6 grams polyunsaturated fat; 43 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 40 grams protein; 1307 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch shallow baking dish or pan or a very large cast-iron skillet.

  2. Step 2

    Add the oil and flour to a medium skillet. Set over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture (known as roux) turns a golden color, smells nutty and thickens, 5 to 7 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add garlic, chile powder, cumin, oregano and black pepper to the roux. Whisk until smooth (some clumping from the garlic is fine), being careful to not let the spices burn, about 30 seconds.

  4. Step 4

    While whisking constantly, add beef broth ¼ cup at a time, whisking after each addition, until smooth. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, whisking occasionally, for 10 minutes. Then remove from heat, and allow the gravy to rest for another 10 minutes. Taste the gravy and season with salt as needed for a savory sauce.

  5. Step 5

    Meanwhile, in another pan, lightly heat a tortilla over medium just until softened, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel or sheet of foil and wrap. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, stacking them in the towel or foil. Be careful of overcooking: You’re softening each tortilla to prevent them from cracking as they’re filled and folded.

  6. Step 6

    Fill a softened tortilla with about ⅓ cup of cheese. Roll shut and, with the seam side facing downward, place in the greased baking dish or skillet. Repeat until you’ve filled all of the tortillas, setting the rolls next to each other.

  7. Step 7

    Slowly pour the gravy over all of the tortillas to coat. Afterward, sprinkle the dish with the rest of the cheese and the diced onion.

  8. Step 8

    Bake until the gravy is bubbling and the cheese melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

  9. Step 9

    Garnish with parsley, if desired, alongside a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Tip
  • You want ground dried chiles, not chili powder, which includes other spices and salt. The choice of mild, medium or hot chile powder is up to you, but avoid using chipotle chile powder, which can end up bitter.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,529 user ratings
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Comments

My mom is from Juarez and I have a regional suggestion from watching her make enchiladas, one of the few foods she cooked (my dad, a Hippy Okie from Frederick OK did most of the cooking in the house!) She dipped the corn tortillas in warm oil to keep them from cracking, gave a little shake to drip the excess oil, then immediately dipped them into the sauce before stacking on a plate to await the filling. TY for your story! I'm a Queer Mexican-American and reading your experience deeply moved me.

As a native San Antonian, I implore you: do not make enchiladas with flour tortillas.

One can avoid the oil dipping by placing a pair of tortillas flat in a microwave oven, covering them with a damp paper towel, and heating them on high for 30 seconds (adjust the time depending on the power of your microwave oven). They'll come out steamy, hot and pliable.

Mild cheddar Cook onions first

Use your microwave to soften the tortillas, wrapped in dish towels

Big mistake the second time I made this I used Ancho Chili powder. It was far too strong and overpowering, it completely ruined the flavor of the dish.

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