Chile Cheese Casserole

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Total: 1 hr 5 min
  • Prep: 25 min
  • Inactive: 10 min
  • Cook: 30 min
This breakfast dish was inspired by the Mexican dish, chilaquiles. By using baked tortilla chips, a mixture of eggs and egg whites and just a bit of sharp Cheddar and pepper jack, the fat is low while the flavor is high.
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Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

4 cups baked tortilla chips, 2 1/2 ounces

6 egg whites 

4 large eggs 

1/4 cup skim milk 

3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder 

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

1 (4-ounce) can mild chopped green chiles 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish 

1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, about 2 ounces 

1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, about 2 ounces 

1/2 cup prepared green salsa verde 

Reduced-fat sour cream, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a rectangular 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Coarsely crush the chips by hand and spread half of them into the bottom of the baking dish.
  2. Whisk the egg whites, eggs, milk, ancho powder, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the chopped chiles, chopped cilantro, and 1/4 cup each of the Cheddar and pepper jack cheeses; pour into the pan. Sprinkle the remaining chips over the egg mixture. Bake until the casserole is set around the edges but a little loose in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of each cheese and continue to bake until the cheeses are melted and the casserole is set in the center, about 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve with the salsa and, sour cream, if using. Garnish with whole cilantro leaves.

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David P.

OK - So, I tend to use the recipe as a guideline for basic foods like this.  So, I did NOT have the horrible experience other reviewers have mentioned.  I used hatch green chile hot sauce instead of the salsa verde (which tends to be bland to me.)  We used regular, blue corn tortilla corn chips and it turned out great.  Didn't stick - fluffy, yummy.  I was afraid it would be too dense, so I whisked it until my arm fell off on the floor.  My husband wanted more cheese... so we melted more over his.  Served with a fresh salad, makes a great, easy bake-ahead brunch option.  

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