16 Enchilada Recipes for Everyone

Beef-and-Cheese Red Chile Enchiladas
Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Whether you like chicken enchiladas or beef, extra cheesy or veggie-forward, there are so many ways to enjoy enchiladas morning, noon, and night! Here, we've gathered a selection of recipes to make your tastebuds sing the praises of this flavor-packed Mexican favorite. We've got eight choices with chicken, including Rick Bayless' creamy Enchiladas Suizas; two no-bake options for when you'd rather not turn on your oven; plus six meat-free masterpieces. Hungry yet?

01 of 16

Enmoladas de Calabaza

Enmoladas de Calabaza
Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Enmoladas are essentially enchiladas given the mole treatment, and this recipe is the ultimate version. Lightly fried tortillas are generously stuffed with tender strands of spaghetti squash and then covered in a concentrated kabocha squash mole. The mole is seasoned with dried chiles and five-spice powder, which lend a delicate smokiness to the savory sauce.

02 of 16

No-Bake Vegetarian Enchiladas

No-Bake Vegetarian Enchiladas
© Con Poulos

The recipe here is based on a dish created by chef Josef Centeno's great-grandmother, who raised 12 kids. Because meat was expensive, she often made enchiladas using only vegetables, like carrots and potatoes. For his enchiladas, Centeno makes a sofrito, cooking carrots low and slow in olive oil with garlic and tomatoes.

03 of 16

Beef and Cheese Red Chile Enchiladas

Beef-and-Cheese Red Chile Enchiladas
Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Dipping warm corn tortillas in freshly made red chile sauce infuses each rolled enchilada with the smoky-sweet flavor of New Mexico chiles. The hearty cumin-scented beef and cheese filling stands up well to the bold sauce. For a quicker vegetarian version, fill the tortillas with an ounce of melty cheese, like queso Oaxaca or Monterey Jack.

04 of 16

Summery No-Bake Chicken Enchiladas with Pico de Gallo

Summery No-Bake Chicken Enchiladas with Pico de Gallo
© Molly Yeh

When it's hot outside and turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do, enchiladas are still an option! Fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and queso fresco make for a bright and delicious meal.

05 of 16

Bacon and Egg Breakfast Enchiladas

Bacon and Egg Breakfast Enchiladas
© Molly Yeh

Enchiladas aren't just for dinner! Your brunch party guests will love this morning-time version.

06 of 16

Enchiladas for Two

Enchiladas for Two
© Molly Yeh

Don't feel the need to invite a crowd over the next time you're in the mood for enchiladas. This recipe crams a ton of flavor into a small batch of the Mexican favorite.

07 of 16

Green Chile–Chicken Enchiladas

Green Chile–Chicken Enchiladas
© Eva Kolenko

Modern Family TV star Jesse Tyler Ferguson hails from New Mexico, which explains his penchant for these deliciously cheesy and spicy chicken enchiladas. He often makes them with canned cream of chicken soup, but they’re even better with a quick and easy homemade sauce that mimics the soup yet has better flavor.

08 of 16

Red Chile-Chicken Enchiladas

Red Chile-Chicken Enchiladas
© Fredrika Stjärne

Former F&W editor Grace Parisi makes a slightly spicy red sauce for these enchiladas with smoky guajillo chiles and fruity ancho chiles.

09 of 16

Chicken, Cheese, and Mushroom Enchiladas with Sour Cream Slaw

Chicken, Cheese and Mushroom Enchiladas with Sour Cream Slaw
© Corey Hendrickson

Crunchy coleslaw made with sour cream dressing is a cooling accompaniment to these spicy-sauced enchiladas.

10 of 16

Vegan Enchiladas

Vegan Enchiladas
© Con Poulos

Cookbook author Akasha Richmond stuffs her incredible enchiladas with squash, mushrooms, kale, and corn, then tops them with a tangy tomatillo sauce and rich cashew crema.

11 of 16

Cheese Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce

Cheese Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce
© Fredrika Stjärne

Chef Aarón Sánchez makes an elaborate, long-simmered sauce for enchiladas. For a quick meal at home, though, he reaches for canned red chile sauce, such as one from Las Palmas. "It's old-school, very straightforward," he says. Sánchez sometimes adds shredded braised chicken to his enchiladas for a heartier meal.

12 of 16

Enchiladas Suizas (Creamy Enchiladas with Chicken, Tomatoes, and Green Chile)

Creamy Enchiladas with Chicken, Tomatoes and Green Chile

© Lucy Schaeffer

These simple, classic enchiladas from chef Rick Bayless hit all the right notes. They can be made with either fresh or canned tomatoes, depending on the season and what you've got on hand.

13 of 16

Mole Chicken Enchiladas

Mole Chicken Enchiladas
© Ian Knauer

These enchiladas are drenched in a not-quite-authentic, but seriously delicious version of mole sauce that includes peanut butter, cocoa, soy sauce, and chili powder.

14 of 16

Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Enchiladas

Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Enchiladas
© Molly Yeh

Sweet bell peppers and two kinds of beans are the stars of this vegetarian dish. They're held together with melty Monterey Jack cheese.

15 of 16

Bean and Potato Vegan Enchiladas

Bean and Potato Vegan Enchiladas
© Molly Yeh

Ditch the meat and roast up two kinds of potatoes for a satisfying, vibrant vegan meal.

16 of 16

Pineapple Chicken Enchiladas

Pineapple Chicken Enchiladas
© Molly Yeh

Pineapple is an easy way to add fun and festivity to classic chicken enchiladas.

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