How to Make Enchiladas at Home

First things first, what are enchiladas?

They're kind of like a Mexican twist on a burrito. Picture this, a flour or corn tortilla, packed full of your favourite fillings, rolled up tightly and smothered in tasty sauce and melted cheese. This is one Mexican dish that requires a fork and knife.

From its humble beginnings as a street food – a simple tortilla roll dipped in chilli sauce, to the saucy, cheesy treat we have today, enchiladas have come a long way. "Enchiladas", interestingly, it’s a mashup of two Nahuatl words, 'chilli' and 'flute'.

Ever wondered what goes into making tasty enchiladas? It's a mix of meat or beans, fresh vegetables, loads of cheese, an array of sauces, and tortillas large enough to roll and fill. Toppings like guacamole, sour cream, and coriander amplify the enjoyment.

• Tortillas
  If you're going to be an enchilada chef, your first ingredient would be soft tortillas. But not just any kind, they should be large enough to easily fill and roll. Our Old El Paso™ Super Soft Flour Tortillas are ideal for this. You can also opt for whole wheat or corn if you like.
• Meat filling
  The two major fillings for your enchiladas can be chicken or beef (you can use leftover burrito filling for this). Or if you're a vegetarian, black beans are a great option too!
• Cheese
  Cheese is the icing on the enchilada! Add it to your wraps with sauce for the ultimate taste.
• Sauce
  What sets enchiladas apart from its cousins, burritos and tacos? The sauce, of course! This is what truly defines an enchilada. But don't worry, our Old El Paso™ Enchilada Cooking Sauce can take care of the complex mixture. Throw in coriander, parsley, lime juice and garlic for an extra flavour boost.

Creating enchiladas is a breeze once you've got all your ingredients rounded up. First, choose your fillings. The options are endless; consider tuna for a lighter twist on this dish, or whip it up for breakfast with bacon and eggs. For vegetarian options, try filling it with black beans, chickpeas, sweet potato or aubergine.

Pop a generous amount of filling into your tortilla, roll it up, and tuck it seam-side-down into a baking dish to help it stay put. Smother it in sauce, blanket it with cheese, and let it cook.

Enchilada sauce is a chilli-driven sauce that lends enchiladas their distinctive flavour. Whip it up at home with tomato paste, vegetable broth, flour, and a variety of spices including chilli powder, cumin and garlic powder.

If that sounds like a bit too much for a weeknight, don't worry, we've got your back. Our Old El Paso™ Enchilada Cooking Sauce delivers the authentic taste you crave, so you can concentrate on perfecting your fillings.

Stir it up in a blender or food processor with some parsley, fresh lime juice, coriander, and garlic. Blend until smooth – and voila, your sauce is ready!

Now you’ve made your delicious enchiladas, what do you serve them with? Some side dishes we recommend are:

• Mexican Fried Rice
  Crispy and delicious, fried rice is a trusty friend for your enchiladas. It makes your dinner wholesome, plus you can toss in some meat, veggies, or keep it plain and let it soak up that scrumptious enchilada sauce.
• Smashed Beans
  Ahh, refried beans. Creamy, versatile and oh-so-yummy! Serve them solo or set them up with tortilla chips for a shareable treat! Want to save on prep time? Keep a can of Old El Paso™ Refried Beans on standby, and you're all set.