Easy & Lazy Enchiladas Recipe: Dinner in a Flash
Whipping up lazy enchiladas brings pure comfort without complex kitchen gymnastics.
Shortcuts make weeknight dinners deliciously possible when energy runs low.
Mexican-inspired flavors shine through minimal effort and smart ingredient choices.
Simple assembly transforms basic pantry staples into something spectacular.
Minimal chopping and quick baking mean you can relax while dinner practically makes itself.
Cheese, tortillas, and a few clever tricks create a meal that looks and tastes like you spent hours preparing.
Dive into this recipe and watch dinner magic unfold with zero stress.
Why Lazy Enchiladas Always Work
Devour Hassle-Free Comfort: This lazy enchilada recipe brings unbeatable kitchen magic straight to your table.
Simplify Meal Prep: Forget traditional rolling and layering – this one-dish wonder transforms tortilla chips and ground beef into a cheesy, saucy delight without complex techniques.
Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for shredded chicken, add extra spices, or include different types of cheese to match your family’s taste preferences and make the dish uniquely yours.
Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the crunchy chip base, zesty salsa-seasoned meat, and generous cheese topping that creates a crowd-pleasing meal everyone can enjoy together.
What’s Needed for Lazy Enchiladas
For the Protein:For the Spices and Seasonings:For the Base and Binding Ingredients:For the Preparation Helpers:How to Bake Lazy Enchiladas
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Preheat the oven to a cozy 350F (175C) temperature, getting ready for some delicious magic.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, making sure to drain away any extra fat for a lighter dish.
Step 3: Spice Up the Beef
Enhance the beef with these flavor-packed ingredients:Stir everything together until well mixed and set aside.
Step 4: Crush the Chips
Pour tortilla chips into a large mixing bowl and gently break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
Step 5: Combine Beef and Chips
Pour the seasoned beef mixture over the crushed chips and mix gently, creating a delightful blend of textures.
Step 6: Sauce It Up
Pour the entire can of enchilada sauce over the beef and chip mixture, ensuring every piece gets coated.
Step 7: Add Cheesy Goodness
Mix in shredded cheese until everything is perfectly combined and looking irresistible.
Step 8: Prepare the Baking Dish
Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and transfer the enchilada mixture into it.
Step 9: Top with Cheese
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty blanket.
Step 10: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 50 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Simple Tips for Lazy Enchiladas
Tasty Additions to Lazy Enchiladas
Sides to Serve with Enchiladas
How to Save Leftover Enchiladas
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
Transfer enchiladas to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Typically takes 1-2 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350F. Cover dish with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F. Add extra cheese on top if desired for a fresh, melty finish.
FAQs
A quick and easy casserole-style dish that combines tortilla chips, ground beef, salsa, and cheese instead of traditional rolled enchiladas, making it a simple one-pan meal.
Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even vegetarian meat alternatives to suit your preference.
The spice level depends on the salsa and green chilies you use. Choose mild, medium, or hot salsa based on your heat tolerance.
No, this recipe is perfect for beginners. It requires basic cooking skills like browning meat and mixing ingredients, making it very beginner-friendly.
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Lazy Enchiladas Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Lazy Enchiladas bring Mexican comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Quick ingredients and simple assembly guarantee a delicious meal that satisfies cravings without complex cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Cheese and Dairy:
- 3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or blend)
Base and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 bag tortilla chips (12 ounces)
- 28 ounces red enchilada sauce
- 4 ounces diced green chilies, drained
- 1/2 cup salsa
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly draining excess fat.
- Incorporate diced green chilies, salsa, and cumin into the beef, mixing thoroughly until well-combined.
- Crush tortilla chips into smaller fragments within a large mixing bowl.
- Gently fold the seasoned beef mixture into the broken tortilla chips, ensuring even distribution.
- Pour enchilada sauce over the beef and chip combination, creating a uniform coating.
- Blend one cup of shredded cheese into the mixture, stirring until ingredients are evenly integrated.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
- Generously layer the remaining cheese across the top, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes until cheese melts and edges become golden and crispy.
- Remove foil during the final 5-10 minutes to enhance cheese browning and achieve a slightly crisp texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier alternative, reducing overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor.
- Crush tortilla chips just before mixing to prevent them from becoming too soggy and maintain a slight crunch in the final dish.
- For gluten-free version, ensure using gluten-free tortilla chips and verify salsa and enchilada sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Consider adding diced bell peppers or black beans for extra nutrition and texture without significantly changing the recipe’s core preparation method.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 633 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR
ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR
Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.
Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.