By Sydney Engberg

Needing a quick main dish? Trying to cook on a budget? This easy enchilada recipe is great for those who are new to cooking and tastes amazing. Plus, I was able to find all the ingredients at a local grocery store for less than $6.00!

Makes 8 servings (serving size = 1 enchilada)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups chili without beans (or a 24 oz can)
• 1 ½ cups refried beans (can use low sodium, non-fat beans)
• 2 cups low-fat shredded cheese (Cheddar or Monterey jack)
• 8 large flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a cookie sheet or glass baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Heat chili and refried beans in a medium saucepan until warm (do not boil).
4. Scoop about half a cup of the chili mixture into a tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and roll up.
   

   

   
5. Repeat for all 8 tortillas laying them side by side on the baking sheet.
6. Spoon the remaining chili mixture on top of the rolled tortillas and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Sydney’s Gluten-Free Modifications

I am not able to consume products that contain gluten (such as flour tortillas) and so I made a few modifications to the original recipe. So for all my gluten-free pals out there; you too can have these delicious enchiladas!

• Use soft white corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
• In a glass dish lay down a layer of tortillas (they are smaller so they don’t roll well).
• Spoon in a layer of chili mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and then start another layer of tortillas.
• Repeat until you have about 2 inches of “enchilada lasagna.”
• Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Enchilada Storage Instructions

If you are cooking for yourself or just have too many to eat, these taste wonderful as leftovers.

• Let enchiladas cool entirely, but do not leave out for more than 2 hours after removing them from the oven. (It’s okay to put them in the refrigerator warm.)
• After they have cooled, wrap entire pan tightly in plastic wrap or tin foil and place in refrigerator. (Don’t wrap them if they are still warm as they may accumulate moisture and become soggy.)
• Or place individual enchiladas in plastic bags and place in refrigerator for easy leftover meals!

I really loved the way that this recipe turned out! It was simple and had a good base flavor. Because it is very basic, there are a lot of ways that you could spice it up and make it your own. For example, adding some chicken or beef to the chili mixture or throwing some fresh pico de gallo on the top would add even more flavors and textures.

Recipe source: USDA What’s Cooking – USDA Mixing Bowl