In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2024)

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (1)

When I was a growing up, family dinners often tookthe form of a delicious casserole dish, made by my mother. My husband had a similar experience in his youth (though he grew up in the Midwest, so a casserole, of course, was called a “hot dish.”) No matter what they were called, casseroles were very popular back in the day, and it’s easy to see why!

A good casserole is often a meal unto itself, oftencontaining meat, vegetables, and a starch all in one dish. This means fewer dirty dishes, and quicker dinner prep times. And who could deny the way the flavors of the ingredients mingle and meld as it bakes in the oven? It’s a truly glorious thing to behold and consume.

However, at some point between our casserole-laden youths and now, casseroles have suffered an image crisis. In many people’s minds today, the word “casserole” conjures images of a dry, tasteless dish with indistinguishable mystery ingredients. And I think that it’s about time that someone took a stand in defense of casseroles! Let’s dispel the negative myths about casseroles, and reintroduce the world to these easy and delicious one-dish delights!

I’ll start by sharing a casserole I made for the family recently that was a big hit! This dish of stacked white chicken enchiladas is a real crowd-pleaser, and simple to throw together. The original recipe used white beans in keeping with the overall light color scheme of the dish. But we’re all about black beans at our house, so I’m dubbing this dish a “Black and White” Enchilada Casserole!

Make sure to continue scrolling after the recipe, where you’ll find images and links for lotsof other delicious casserole recipes from around the web!

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2)

“Black and White” Chicken Enchilada Casserole

adapted from Gimme Some Oven

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 4oz can chopped green chiles
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 soft flour tortillas, halved to make 24 pieces
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 2 14oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
  • avocado, diced (optional)
  • cilantro, chopped (optional)

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (3)

To make the enchilada sauce, start by melting the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the flour, and stir frequently until the mixture browns a bit, about 1 minute. Add one cup of the chicken stock, and whisk until the mixture combines. Then, add the other cup of chicken stock, as well as the green chiles and cumin, and whisk until combined.

Let the mixture continue cooking until it starts to simmer and thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream, and whisk to incorporate it throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the pan from heat and set aside.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (4)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13″ casserole dish. To assemble the enchiladas, layer in the following order:

  • 8 tortilla halves, arranged in a flat layer
  • 1/3 of the enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 of the shredded chicken
  • 1/2 of the black beans
  • 1/3 of the pepper jack cheese

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (5)

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Repeat these layers a second time. For the final layer, put down the remaining tortilla halves, sauce, and the top with cheese. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (7)

When the 20 minutes is up, remove the foil from the casserole dish and bake for an additional 15 minutes, so that the cheese starts to brown around the edges, and the whole thing is heated throughout.

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (8)

Serve warm, and top with diced avocado and chopped cilantro (optional, but highly recommended!)

More Delicious Casseroles from Around the Web

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What is your favoritecasserole recipe?

In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (18)

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Jill Nystul

I’ll start by sharing a casserole I made for the family recently that was a big hit! This dish of stacked white chicken enchiladas is a real crowd-pleaser, and simple to throw together.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 11

Calories 410 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 4 oz can chopped green chiles
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 soft flour tortillas halved to make 24 pieces
  • 2 cups chicken cooked and shredded
  • 2 14 oz cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups pepper jack cheese shredded
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1 cilantro chopped

Instructions

TO MAKE THE ENCHILADA SAUCE

  • Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat.Add the flour, and stir frequently until the mixture browns a bit, about 1 minute.

  • Add one cup of the chicken stock, and whisk until the mixture combines. Then, add the other cup of chicken stock, as well as the green chiles and cumin, and whisk until combined. Let the mixture continue cooking until it starts to simmer and thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.

  • Stir in the sour cream, and whisk to incorporate it throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Remove the pan from heat and set aside.

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13” casserole dish.

TO ASSEMBLE THE ENCHILADAS

  • Layer in the following order: 8 tortilla halves, arranged in a flat layer; 1/3 of the enchilada sauce; 1/2 of the shredded chicken; 1/2 of the black beans; 1/3 of the pepper jack cheese

  • Repeat these layers a second time. For the final layer, put down the remaining tortilla halves, sauce, and the top with cheese.

  • Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

  • Remove the foil from the casserole dish and bake for an additional 15 minutes

  • Serve warm, and top with diced avocado and chopped cilantro (optional, but highly recommended!)

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 17gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 548mgPotassium: 403mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 515IUVitamin C: 3.8mgCalcium: 304mgIron: 2.6mg

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In Defense Of The Casserole + A Recipe For Chicken Enchilada Casserole (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good enchiladas? ›

The most important tip for avoiding soggy enchiladas is to briefly fry your tortillas in hot oil before you fill and roll. This creates a little bit of a barrier so that the tortillas don't soak up too much of the sauce and therefore start to break down.

Is it better to cook enchiladas covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the enchiladas are cooked through and the tortillas are slightly crispy on the outside. Transfer the baking dish to a wire baking rack. Serve. Serve the enchiladas immediately while they're nice and hot and melty, garnished with lots of fresh toppings.

How do you make chicken enchiladas not 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.

What is the best melting cheese for enchiladas? ›

Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that melts easily and adds a smooth texture to the enchiladas.

What can I add to canned enchilada sauce to make it taste better? ›

There's no need to grab everything in your spice cabinet to improve the taste: All you'll need is the combined power of equal parts butter and flour. This mighty duo is known as a roux, and is a well-known tool in the kitchen.

Does enchilada sauce go inside or on top? ›

Spoon enchilada sauce over the tops of the tortillas ensuring they are completely covered - uncovered spots will come out tough and hard - then sprinkle reserved cheese on top. Cover baking dish with nonstick sprayed foil then bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and sauce is hot and bubbly.

Are chicken enchiladas better with green or red sauce? ›

If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.

What brand of tortillas are best for enchiladas? ›

Don't settle for the same old, same old tortillas. CHI-CHI'S® Enchilada Style Tortillas Flour & Corn are the ideal way to wrap up your next batch of enchiladas.

How to keep enchiladas from getting hard on the bottom? ›

Some recipes suggest spreading a little sauce (½ cup for a 3-quart baking dish) on the bottom of the pan before adding enchiladas. This keeps the tortillas from sticking to the pan or getting tough on the bottom.

Do you cover enchiladas while baking? ›

Roll up tortillas; place seam sides down and widthwise in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spread with salsa; sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Do you cover enchiladas with foil when cooking? ›

Cover with foil, non-stick dull side facing the food. Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

How do you know when enchiladas are done baking? ›

Top enchiladas with enchilada sauce and remaining cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Should you cover cheese enchiladas when baking? ›

Spoon enchilada sauce over the tops of the tortillas ensuring they are completely covered - uncovered spots will come out tough and hard - then sprinkle reserved cheese on top. Cover baking dish with nonstick sprayed foil then bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and sauce is hot and bubbly.

Should I put foil over my enchiladas? ›

Cover with foil, non-stick dull side facing the food. Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Should I grease baking dish for enchiladas? ›

Make sure that you lightly grease your dish, which will help keep the tortillas from sticking to the pan. 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.

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