Description
This Tortilla Chip Enchiladas recipe offers a deliciously layered Tex-Mex dish combining seasoned ground meat, beans, corn, and crunchy tortilla chips topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh garnish. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it’s baked in the oven to meld flavors and textures into a cheesy, savory delight with a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups tortilla chips, slightly crushed
- 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
- 2 cups shredded lettuce (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned, about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy. Add the taco seasoning packet along with 1/2 cup water, stir well, and let it simmer for 5 minutes to infuse flavors and thicken the meat mixture.
- Layer the Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, evenly spread a layer of slightly crushed tortilla chips across the bottom to create a crunchy base. Layer the seasoned taco meat evenly over the chips, followed by drained black beans and corn kernels, distributing them evenly for balanced flavors.
- Add the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the enchilada sauce and salsa, mixing well. Pour this flavorful sauce evenly over the layered ingredients ensuring every part is well coated to keep the chips moist and enhance the dish’s richness.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the entire dish for a melty, cheesy topping. If you enjoy a bit of bite and extra flavor, add diced onions on top of the cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown slightly, indicating the dish is heated through and ready.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly to set. Before serving, top with fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, dollops of sour cream, and chopped cilantro to add freshness, crunch, and a vibrant contrast to the warm, cheesy layers underneath.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.
- Feel free to add jalapeños or hot sauce for an extra kick of spice.
- To keep the chips crispy, add the fresh toppings just before serving.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; just add fresh toppings after reheating.
- Use gluten-free tortilla chips and taco seasoning if you need to make this recipe gluten-free.
