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This mouthwatering cheesy taquitos casserole takes the frozen chicken taquitos to a whole new level. Frozen taquitos are transformed into a cheesy and flavorful busy night meal in just a couple of minutes.
Whether you're hosting a casual weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, this recipe is sure to impress your guests with its irresistible combination of flavors.
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Why you'll love this "lazy enchilada" recipe
This Cheesy Taquitos Casserole is perfect for anyone who loves Mexican food and craves a filling meal that doesn't need lots of ingredients. Whether you're a busy parent looking for a quick dinner option or a college student seeking a budget-friendly recipe, this taquitos casserole has got you covered. Its simplicity, versatility, and crowd-pleasing nature make it an excellent choice for family dinners, potlucks, or even a casual game night with friends.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and ability to deliver a burst of flavor with minimal ingredients. Here are a few reasons why this Cheesy Taquitos Casserole stands out:
- Effortless Preparation: With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe can be whipped up on a busy weeknight. It's perfect for busy individuals who want to enjoy a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This is a dish the whole family will love.
- Versatile and Customizable: You have the freedom to choose your preferred taquito filling. You can use beef taquitos, chicken taquitos, or cheese taquitos for these taquito enchiladas. Add your favorite toppings to tailor the casserole to your taste, adding a refreshing touch of creaminess, freshness, and crunch.
- Cheesy Delight: The generous layer of melted cheese blankets the taquitos, creating cheesy goodness that will make your taste buds dance with joy. It adds a luscious texture and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
🛒Ingredients for taquitos casserole
- refried beans-a staple in Mexican cuisine, refried beans serve as the base layer in this taquitos casserole. They contribute a creamy and savory element to the dish, providing a smooth texture and a rich, earthy flavor. The refried beans make the casserole a more filling and complete meal.
- frozen taquitos- Taquitos are small, rolled tortillas filled with various savory fillings. In this recipe, frozen taquitos are used to add a hearty and flavorful component to the casserole. You have the option to choose between chicken, beef, or vegetarian taquitos based on your preferences
- enchilada sauce-store-bought Enchilada sauce is a vibrant and tangy sauce made with chili peppers, tomatoes, onions, and various spices. It infuses the casserole with a burst of bold flavors, adding a zesty and slightly spicy kick.
- shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar)-Cheese is the star of this taquitos casserole, creating a gooey layer on top. Mexican cheese or cheddar cheese works beautifully in this recipe. The melted cheese forms a golden crust that envelops the taquitos, adding a creamy, melty, and savory element to every bite. It provides richness and a satisfying contrast to the other flavors in the casserole.
Use your favorite taco toppings for this new family favorite recipe:
- Sour cream-Sour cream adds a cool and creamy element to the casserole, balancing the spiciness of the enchilada sauce. Its tangy flavor complements the other ingredients, providing a refreshing contrast.
- Chopped cilantro-Cilantro lends a vibrant and fresh taste to the dish. Its bright and citrusy notes add a pop of freshness, enhancing the overall flavor profile and adding a touch of herbaceousness.
- Diced tomatoes-Diced tomatoes contribute juiciness and a subtle sweetness to the taquitos casserole. They provide a refreshing burst of flavor and add a pop of color to the dish, making it visually appealing.
- Avocado-Creamy slices of avocado add a buttery and velvety texture to the casserole. They bring a mild and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients, providing a creamy and indulgent component to the dish.
- green onions
- Black olives- if you like that briney, salty flavor of olives, add then to the top of the casserole after baking.
- Shredded lettuce- The refreshing crunch of shredded iceberg lettuce add a textural contrast to the dish. You can serve the shredded lettuce on the side and let people top their serving with lettuce if they choose.
The optional toppings elevate the dish with their contrasting flavors and textures, adding a fresh and vibrant touch. Together, they create a tantalizing and satisfying Mexican-inspired casserole that will leave you craving for more.
🥣Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray your casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Spread the refried beans in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Pour half of the enchilada sauce on top of the beans, creating a flavorful base for the casserole.
Arrange a layer of taquitos on top of the sauce. The number of taquitos will depend on the brand, but typically it will be around 15-20 taquitos.
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the taquitos, ensuring they are evenly coated. The tangy and spicy sauce will infuse the taquitos with irresistible flavors.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the top of the casserole, covering it entirely.
Cover the casserole with foil to keep the cheese from burning.
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes.
After 35 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese turns bubbly and slightly golden.
Once the cheese is perfectly melted and the casserole is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will make it easier to serve.
Before serving, feel free to get creative with your toppings. Add dollops of creamy sour cream, sprinkle chopped cilantro for a refreshing kick, garnish with diced tomatoes for a burst of freshness, and don't forget to add slices of creamy avocado to enhance the overall experience.
📝Variations
Chicken taquitos-While the recipe calls for frozen taquitos, you can also prepare your own homemade taquitos using your favorite filling, such as shredded chicken, seasoned ground beef, or even a vegetarian option like black beans and corn.
Cheese Options-Experiment with different types of cheese to suit your taste preferences. Mexican blend cheese provides a traditional flavor, while cheddar adds a sharp and creamy touch. For a spicy twist, try using pepper jack cheese. If you like your casserole extra cheesy, use Oaxaca cheese.
🍳Equipment
You will need a 9x13 casserole dish for this recipe.
Aluminum foil- if you don't have foil, you can use a silicone baking mat as a cover.
What to serve with taquitos casserole
Mexican Rice: Serve the casserole alongside a generous portion of fragrant Mexican rice. The fluffy rice will balance the richness of the cheese and add another layer of satisfaction to your meal.
White rice: Plain rice is the perfect blank canvas for tex-mex-inspired food.
Fresh Salad: Prepare a refreshing side salad with crisp lettuce, diced cucumbers, sliced bell peppers, and a zesty lime dressing. The crispness and tanginess of the salad will provide a delightful contrast to the warm and cheesy casserole. This watermelon and corn salad from fellow blogger Karishma looks amazing. It would go well with this taquitos recipe.
Mangonadas: Complete your Mexican-inspired feast with classic mangonadas. The tangy and refreshing flavors of the mangonadas will complement the spiciness of the enchilada sauce.
Guacamole: serve this casserole with my easy guacamole recipe on top. You can also serve the guac on the side with tortilla chips.
❄️Storage
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The casserole can be enjoyed for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place individual servings in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
The baked casserole doesn't stand up well to freezing.
💭FAQ
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. Simply cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to serve, follow the baking instructions, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Certainly! This recipe serves as a great base for adding additional ingredients to suit your taste. You can incorporate cooked and seasoned ground meat, sautéed onions and bell peppers, or even diced green chilies for some extra heat. Get creative and customize it to your liking!
There are several delicious side dishes that pair well with this taquitos casserole. Some options include Mexican street corn, guacamole and tortilla chips, black beans, or a refreshing salsa verde. These sides will enhance the Mexican flavors and provide a well-rounded meal.
🎥Video
📖Printable Recipe Card
Taquitos casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 cans refried beans 16 oz can size
- 1 package frozen taquitos chicken, beef, or vegetarian, approximately 1 lb 5 oz (15-20 taquitos)
- 1 can mild enchilada sauce 28 ounces
- 2 cups shredded cheese Mexican blend or cheddar
Optional Ingredients:
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Avocado
- green onions
- Black olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray your casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Spread the refried beans on the bottom of the baking dish in an even layer. Pour half of the enchilada sauce on top of the beans layer.1 can mild enchilada sauce, 2 cans refried beans
- Arrange a layer of taquitos on top of the sauce. The number of taquitos will depend on the brand, but typically it will be around 15-20 taquitos.1 package frozen taquitos
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the taquitos, ensuring they are evenly coated.1 can mild enchilada sauce
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the top of the casserole, covering it entirely.2 cups shredded cheese
- Cover the casserole with foil to keep the cheese from burning.
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes.
- After 35 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese turns bubbly and slightly golden.
- Once the cheese is perfectly melted and the casserole is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Why is this taquitos casserole called Lazy Enchiladas?
The name "Lazy Enchiladas" is a playful and fitting title for this taquitos casserole recipe. It reflects the convenient and time-saving nature of the dish, offering a simplified version of traditional enchiladas in less time, without compromising on flavor. With a handful of ingredients, this easy dinner will definitely make it into your family rotation.
Effortless Assembly: Unlike traditional enchiladas that require rolling individual tortillas and filling them with various ingredients, this recipe takes a shortcut by using frozen taquitos. The taquitos are already rolled and filled with flavorful ingredients, saving you time and effort in the preparation process. Simply arrange the frozen taquitos in a casserole dish, layer them with enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake to perfection. This "lazy" assembly method allows you to enjoy the flavors of enchiladas with minimal effort.
Skip the Tortilla Dipping and Frying: Traditional enchiladas often involve dipping corn tortillas in sauce and then frying them before assembling the dish. In the Lazy Enchiladas recipe, the use of frozen taquitos eliminates the need for this step altogether. The taquitos are already cooked and ready to be baked, allowing you to bypass the time-consuming process of frying tortillas. This time-saving technique gives you the indulgence of enchiladas with a fraction of the effort.
Convenience without Compromise: The Lazy Enchiladas recipe embraces convenience without compromising on flavor. By using readily available ingredients like canned refried beans, frozen taquitos, and pre-made enchilada sauce, you can easily whip up a delicious and satisfying casserole in no time.
This recipe caters to busy individuals or those seeking a quick and hassle-free way to enjoy the flavors of enchiladas without spending hours in the kitchen. It's a perfect option for weeknight dinners or when you want to indulge in Mexican-inspired comfort food without the extra work.
The name "Lazy Enchiladas" captures the essence of this recipe by highlighting its simplicity and time-saving approach. It emphasizes that you can enjoy the flavors and textures of traditional enchiladas with a fraction of the effort. So, embrace the ease and convenience of Lazy Enchiladas while savoring the deliciousness of a classic Mexican dish.
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