Mouthwatering Enchilada Recipes to Fill Up On

There's no denying the comfort of a bubbly, cheesy pan of enchiladas, so it’s no wonder there are so many variations on the dish. Beef, chicken, beans and more — no matter what filling you're craving, there's an enchilada recipe here for you.

October 29, 2021

By: Meghan Hynes Cole

Related To:

Photo By: Caitlin Ochs

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Armando Rafael

Photo By: yia thao

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

©Con Poulos

Photo By: Andrew Purcell

The Best Pork Enchiladas

Hearty, cheesy enchiladas are always welcome at the dinner table. And because they can be made with a number of fillings, including pork, chicken and beans, you can almost always find a recipe to fit your ingredients — and cravings. They’re one of our favorite Mexican recipes so we’ve rounded up a few ways to make them, from authentic takes to delicious twists. If you’re looking for a place to start, we recommend these packed-with-flavor pork enchiladas, made with a red chile sauce (just like enchiladas from the Mexican state of Oaxaca). This recipe has raisins to pull the fruit flavors from the ancho chiles and add a touch of sweetness. The pork is braised in a Dutch oven with aromatics and seasonings that turns into a deeply flavored blended sauce. Frying the tortillas a bit before rolling them gives them a durability that is important when assembling the dish.

Get the Recipe: The Best Pork Enchiladas

'Easiest Ever' Chicken Mole Enchiladas

In Mexico, rich mole poblano is a celebratory dish, often made for special occasions, which takes about four days. The sauce in this recipe is a streamlined version that packs in deep and delicious flavor, and it’s easy to make ahead and freeze, so even weekdays can be festive.

Get the Recipe: 'Easiest Ever' Chicken Mole Enchiladas

The Best Red Chicken Enchiladas

We love the smoky combination of cascabel and guajillo chiles. Using two varieties of dried peppers creates a complex sauce with wonderful depth of flavor, so we recommend seeking them both out. Integral to Mexican cooking, the best-quality corn tortillas you can find are a must; they will have a better flavor and texture and will be easier to work with.

Get the Recipe: The Best Red Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

Making enchiladas in a half-hour might sound too good to be true, but with poached chicken and a quick-cooking sauce, it’s totally possible.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Enchiladas Suizas

The biggest mistake people make when they’re making enchiladas? They don’t make the tortillas pliable enough before filling. Dipping the corn tortillas in warm oil will make them pliable and act as a protective coating that helps keep them from getting soggy while they bake.

Get the Recipe: Enchiladas Suizas

Chicken Enchiladas

Over 1,000 fans agree these chicken enchiladas are incredible. Dip the corn tortillas in canned enchilada sauce (which saves time!), then stuff them with the chicken and veggie filling, roll them up, cover them with more sauce and cheese, and bake to perfection.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Chorizo, Egg and Cheese Enchiladas

You could serve these inspired beauties for dinner, but the Mexican chorizo, eggs and potato tots have us thinking enchiladas just might be what your brunch spread has been missing.

Get the Recipe: Chorizo, Egg and Cheese Enchiladas

Potato and Chorizo Enchiladas

Break out your blender to make this homemade enchilada sauce. Fans say it’s so good you’ll want it all over these enchiladas and a whole lot more.

Get the Recipe: Potato and Chorizo Enchiladas

Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas

Ready in under an hour, this twist on the Mexican favorite subs in store-bought rotisserie chicken and salsa for homemade fillings. It's a great use for that leftover half of a chicken, but if you have a whole chicken, you can easily double the recipe.

Chicken Enchiladas

Save yourself a little time and pick up two rotisserie chickens to shred and fill these 5-star enchiladas. The tomatillo-based salsa does all the work when it comes to adding flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Beef Picadillo Enchiladas

Use ground meat cooked with aromatics, tomatoes, olives and raisins to create an irresistible filling for these crispy, cheesy enchiladas. A celebrated dish throughout Latin America, picadillo will win you over with its delicate balance of sweet and savory.

Get the Recipe: Beef Picadillo Enchiladas

Vegetarian Enchiladas

These easy-to-make enchiladas are filled with beans, spinach and cheese. Serve them with rice on the side for a 5-star family meal.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Enchiladas

Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas

Fans rave about this sauce, calling it "fast, easy and sooo good." Combine simple ingredients, including fire-roasted tomatoes, a chipotle in adobo and cumin, for big flavor results.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken and Chorizo Spanish Enchiladas

These hearty, Spanish-inspired enchiladas are a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish, then cool and refrigerate. This is the answer when you need comfort but you’re short on time.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Chorizo Spanish Enchiladas

Ultimate Cheesy Enchiladas

The only way to make cheese enchiladas even better? Add more cheese! These enchiladas are filled with three kinds of cheese, covered with a chile-spiced sauce, topped with more cheese and baked till bubbly.

Get the Recipe: Ultimate Cheesy Enchiladas

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

No meat? No problem. Use cubed sweet potatoes and black beans to fill your tortillas and you’ll easily fill up the whole family. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and chipotle chile powder give the homemade red sauce unmatched flavor.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Chile Salsa

Roast whole tomatillos to caramelize their flavor before turning them into a delicious sauce for these fan-favorite enchiladas. This inspired recipe is packed with shredded chicken, fresh cilantro, Monterey Jack cheese and the homemade chile salsa.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Chile Salsa

Valerie's Chicken Enchiladas

Roasted veggies form the base of this mouthwatering enchilada sauce, which means you can be sure your kitchen will smell amazing from start to finish.

Get the Recipe: Valerie's Chicken Enchiladas

Simple Perfect Enchiladas

These enchiladas are hearty, cheesy and saucy, and they’re perfect for a crowd: You can stretch just a pound of ground beef into a meal for eight!

Get the Recipe: Simple Perfect Enchiladas

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Rotisserie chicken is the timesaving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods. Stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy Buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game-day snack that's ready in a half-hour.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Enchiladas suizas differ from typical enchiladas because they contain Mexican crema or sour cream, in addition to salsa verde. This version replaces the tomatillo sauce with a roasted tomato-chile sauce, resulting in a rich and creamy dish with bright color.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Easy Green Chile Enchiladas

This cheesy and easy 15-minute twist on enchiladas comes together super quickly thanks to a surprising kitchen appliance — your microwave!

Get the Recipe: Easy Green Chile Enchiladas

Light Chicken Enchiladas

Shredded chicken combined with jalapeno, garlic and thyme creates the hearty filling for this cheesy Mexican classic, covered in a savory tomato sauce made from scratch to help cut back on sodium.

Get the Recipe: Light Chicken Enchiladas

Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken 'Enchiladas'

Roll up sliced zucchini with shredded chicken, garlic and scallions for this healthy meal. Salsa makes a quick sauce topper, and sour cream and hot sauce are the finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken “Enchiladas”

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

You’ll never miss the meat in these hearty, vegetarian enchiladas. The roasted butternut squash adds flavor, while the black beans and cheese add protein to help fill you up.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

Grilled tomatillos and jalapenos add an unexpected layer of flavor to the chicken filling in these enchiladas. And remember: If you want to tone down the heat, be sure to remove the seeds from the jalapenos before chopping!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken-and-Cheese Enchiladas

For an impressive weeknight dinner ready in no time, put rotisserie chicken to work as a hearty enchilada filling. Essential to Mexican cooking, salsa verde imparts a citrusy heat that deepens the flavors of this classic dish.

Get the Recipe: Chicken-and-Cheese Enchiladas

White Chicken Enchiladas

When you’re craving something creamy and cheesy, look no further. Ree coats every inch of her chicken enchiladas with a homemade white cheese sauce, which means there’s plenty of comfort in every bite.

Get the Recipe: White Chicken Enchiladas

Turkey Enchiladas with Fire-Roasted Tomatillos

Even ground turkey is a delicious filling for enchiladas. Paired with a roasted tomatillo sauce, it could easily become your new favorite way to use up a pound.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Enchiladas with Fire-Roasted Tomatillos