How to make the best enchiladas: Better than store-bought
One dinner that always brought comfort growing up was a big, hearty dish of enchiladas. It was a meal my whole family enjoyed then, and it’s one we still love today. The earthy, warm flavors of this dish nourish both the heart and soul.
I want to share my favorite go-to recipe for pulled pork enchiladas with red enchilada sauce. This great recipe is simple, budget-friendly, and has layers of flavor.
All the ingredients can be found in a well-stocked pantry, making this meal easy and affordable to prepare. Its so much easier to put together than to find the best way of how to make canned enchilada sauce better.
These traditional enchiladas come together quickly, making them perfect for a busy weeknight. You can prep and bake them in about an hour—even when making the enchilada sauce from scratch!
Here is the best way to whip up a batch of enchiladas for your family
Ingredients and Substitutions
Tortillas
Whether you make them from scratch or buy them at the store, tortillas are an essential part of this dish. They neatly hold the filling of the enchilada casserole perfectly.
You can use flour or corn tortillas. I prefer to use flour because they hold up to the handling and baking a bit better than the corn tortillas do.
Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
I recommend my easy enchilada sauce recipe here. This recipe is better than a can of enchilada sauce, the spice mixture is divine! The homemade version is easy to make, made of whole foods, and packs a savory flavor punch.
Its a great way to add the signature earthiness and warmth that make enchiladas truly delicious. A benefit of making the red sauce from scratch is that you can choose high quality ingredients to feed your family right.
Cheese
I choose to use a Mexican melting blend of cheeses in this recipe. But you can use mozzarella as well. The flavor profiles are very similar and interchangeable.
While not necessary if you are following a dairy-free diet, cheese adds richness and an overall creaminess to the dish.
Meat
Pork loin is the meat of choice for this recipe, however you can use whatever meat you desire. This recipe is very flexible. Chicken enchiladas are delicious. What about beef? That works too!
Use what you have on hand. This recipe was created to be simple and adaptable.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set oven at 350 Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Spread a couple spoonful’s of homemade sauce on to the bottom of a 9×13 dish.
Step 3
Put Shredded pork into a bowl and mix with half of the enchilada sauce.
Step 4
Set tortilla down on a cutting board, put about a 1/4c of pork and a sprinkle of cheese on to the tortilla.
Step 5
Roll the tortilla and place seam down into the baking dish.
Step 6
Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
Step 7
Pour the rest of the homemade red enchilada sauce on top of the rolled tortillas and spread.
Step 8
Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese on top of the enchiladas.
Step 9
Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the top is bubbly and enchiladas are warmed through.
Tips for the best enchiladas
Warm the Tortillas – Lightly warm flour or corn tortillas before filling them to prevent cracking and make them more pliable. You can do this in a dry skillet or oven. For a quick method, use the microwave.
Don’t Overfill – Too much filling can make rolling difficult and cause the enchiladas to fall apart when baking.
Layer for a Casserole Style – If rolling enchiladas isn’t your style, try layering the ingredients like a lasagna for an easy enchilada casserole.
Prevent Soggy Enchiladas – Lightly toasting the tortillas before assembling can help them hold their shape and absorb less moisture.
Adjust the Heat Level – Adjust the heat level by adding diced jalapeños, extra chili powder, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling or sauce.
Change the Sauce- An easy way to change the flavor profile without much effort is to use green sauce instead of red sauce! Green chiles are delicious.
Variations to try
Protein Swaps – Try shredded chicken, ground beef, rotisserie chicken, or even black beans for a vegetarian option.
Cheese Options – Use cheddar, pepper jack, or Oaxaca cheese for different flavors. A dairy-free alternative can be used for a vegan-friendly dish.
Sauce Options – Swap the red enchilada sauce for green chile sauce or a creamy white sauce for a different flavor profile.
Add More Vegetables – Sautéed onions, bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms can add more depth and nutrition.
Make it Creamy – Mix a little sour cream or cream cheese into the filling for extra richness.
Extra Ingredients – Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, lime wedges, or a drizzle of Mexican crema for extra freshness.
What to serve with enchilada casserole?
Enchilada casserole lends itself nicely to traditional Mexican sides like Mexican rice and refried or black beans. Mexican street corn would be a nice addition to the casserole as well. For lighter options, choose sides like an avocado salad, a cilantro lime slaw, or grilled vegetables.
These enchiladas are a comforting, flavorful dish that brings people around the dinner table. Whether you choose pork, chicken, beef or other ingredients, the casserole will warm those around the dinner table.
This recipe is designed to be simple, adaptable, and full of rich, bold flavors.
Homemade enchilada sauce takes this dish to the next level better than store-bought enchilada sauce. This meal is perfect for busy weeknight meals or special gatherings.
Homemade Pulled Pork Enchiladas with Red Sauce
These Pulled Pork Enchiladas are packed with bold flavors and smothered in a rich, homemade red enchilada sauce. Made with tender pork, melty cheese, and warm spices, this easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. Serve with your favorite toppings and sides for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds (3 cups) shredded pork
- 8 Tortillas
- 1/2 Recipe Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
- 2 cups cheese
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set the oven at
350 Fahrenheit. - Spread a couple of spoonfuls of homemade sauce onto the
bottom of a 9x13 dish. - Put Shredded pork into a bowl and mix with half of the
enchilada sauce. - Set the tortilla down on a cutting board, put about a 1/4c
of pork and a sprinkle of cheese onto the tortilla. - The easiest way to prevent cracking is to warm
tortillas in a microwave or stovetop before filling and rolling. - Roll the tortilla and place the seam down into the baking
dish. - Repeat with the rest of the tortillas.
- Pour the rest of the homemade red enchilada sauce on
top of the rolled tortillas and spread. - Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese on top of the
enchiladas. - Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the top is bubbly and
enchiladas are warmed through.
Notes
To make rolling the tortillas easier, slighlty warm the tortillas to prevent cracking.
Don't overfill. Too much filling can make rolling difficult and cause the enchiladas to fall apart when baking
Adjust the heat level of the enchiladas by adding peppers, extra chili powder, or hot sauce to the red enchilada sauce.
Try different proteins for different flavors!
You can cover the enchiladas with aluminum foil if
desired to prevent browning.
