Without a doubt, these are the most perfect Bean and Cheese Enchiladas you will ever make! (And if you love enchiladas and want to mix it up you should also check out these sweet potato and kale enchiladas, or for non vegetarian, Green Chicken Enchiladas) Say goodbye to every other recipe - this one is everything!!
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We're talking the most perfectly easy Bean and Cheese Enchiladas that are ready in 30 minutes or less. They are cheesy and filled with refried beans, perfectly sauced with enchilada sauce (my fav brand is recommended below) and then topped with ALL THE CHEESE. You can liven then up with a chipotle crema on top and obviously you should serve them with a bowl of guacamole on the side! They are going to be INSANE!
Simple Ingredients for Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
- Vegetable oil - this is used to make the tortillas a little more pliable. You're welcome to sub in avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Flour tortillas - you'll want about 6 6 or 8-inch flour tortillas. Again, this recipe is super flexible and you could use corn tortillas if you prefer.
- Red enchilada sauce -any brand works but the Salsa Cremosa from Herdez is wildly delish.
- Monterey Jack cheese - buy the block and shred it yourself!! Trust me!
- Can of refried beans - I'm actually obsessed with the Fat-Free Refried Beans from Trader Joe's! They are perfection.
- Canned Green chiles - because this recipe is so simple, it's nice to add these to the mix just to give it some extra pizazz! They aren't spicy at all - just add an extra depth of flavor!
Step by Step Instructions
- You'll want to start by heating your oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Working one at a time, fry tortilla, turning once, until just starting to brown and crisp, about 10 seconds per side. Transfer the tortilla to paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Dip both sides of each tortilla in the enchilada sauce just to coat, then transfer to a baking sheet. Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce lengthwise down the center of a 13x9" baking dish.
- Working one at a time, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the refried beans into the center of the tortilla, followed by a few tablespoons of shredded jack cheese and a teaspoon of the canned green chiles. Fold one side over filling, then continue to roll enchilada up like a burrito. Place the seam side down in the prepared baking dish as you go, fitting them all in. Top with the remaining enchilada sauce and then pile on the remaining cheese. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is beginning to brown, about 10-15 minutes.
- While the Bean and Cheese Enchiladas are baking, combine the sour cream and milk or water, chipotles in adobo and season with salt.
- Serve the Bean and Cheese Enchiladas topped with cheese, a drizzle of crema if you want, some fresh cilantro and a dollop of guacamole!
A few enchilada tips, tricks, and suggestions
- You'll see that the recipe below calls for flour tortillas, this is just my personal preference and I understand that some people are team corn tortillas 100% of the time. I support you and you are absolutely allowed to use corn tortillas.
- If you're using corn tortillas, don't skip the step of slightly frying the tortillas in the vegetable oil before assembling. This helps make them more pliable and easier to roll.
- Refried beans: you can use refried pinto or refried black beans. Both will be delicious. Straight out of a can is totally fine and helps save you on top.
- Cheese: I love a Monterey Jack moment because it melts so beautifully. Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack or the likes would also work wonderfully!
Okay... now go forth and make the Bean and Cheese Enchiladas until your hearts content!
Tools Used to Make These Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
What you’ll need:
Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients
- vegetable oil for frying
- 8 6-inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce (any brand works but the Salsa Cremosa from Herdez is wildly delish)
- 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 15-ounce can refried beans
- 1 4-ounce can green chiles
To Garnish
- ½ cup sour cream mixed with 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon of chipotles in adobo
- fresh cilantro
- cubed avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Heat ½ cup vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Working one at a time, fry tortilla, turning once, until just starting to brown and crisp, about 10 seconds per side. Transfer the tortilla to paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- Dip both sides of each tortilla in the enchilada sauce just to coat, then transfer to a baking sheet. Spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce lengthwise down the center of a 13x9" baking dish.
- Working one at a time, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the refried beans into the center of the tortilla, followed by a few tablespoons of shredded jack cheese and a teaspoon of the canned green chiles. Fold one side over filling, then continue to roll enchilada up like a burrito. Place the seam side down in the prepared baking dish as you go, fitting them all in. Top with the remaining enchilada sauce and then pile on the remaining cheese. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is beginning to brown, about 10-15 minutes.
- While the enchiladas are baking, combine the sour cream and milk or water, chipotles in adobo and season with salt.
- Serve enchiladas topped with cheese, a drizzle of crema and cilantro and a dollop of guacamole.
Notes
- You’ll see that the recipe below calls for flour tortillas, this is just my personal preference and I understand that some people are team corn tortillas 100% of the time. I support you and you are absolutely allowed to use corn tortillas.
- If you’re using corn tortillas, don’t skip the step of slightly frying the tortillas in the vegetable oil before assembling. This helps make them more pliable and easier to roll.
- Refried beans: you can use refried pinto or refried black beans. Both will be delicious. Straight out of a can is totally fine and helps save you on top.
- Cheese: I love a Monterey Jack moment because it melts so beautifully. Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack or the likes would also work wonderfully!
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson
Adding this to rotation RIGHT NOW!!!
Just good basic yumminess....cooking tortillas before is key and the Herdez salsas are really good and fast/easy!
Easy & delicious! I ended up combining the Herdez cremosa recommend + red enchilada sauce, for a “Christmas” sauce.
Hi Gaby- not sure if I can get enchilada sauce in England. Is there a substitute or could you tell me the rough ingredients to make myself? Thanks!
SO good and SO easy! It will be hard to resist making this for dinner weekly.
Made these with gluten-free tortillas and my daughter who can't have wheat said they were even better than Don Pablo's (chain Mexican restaurant that closed in the last two years). Used La Victoria enchilada sauce because it was labeled gluten free and we all liked it. Thanks for helping me to create a winning dish!
You know it's good when I'm craving it after the fourth day of eating it. Yum.
Simple yet delicious!
LOVE!! Easy & yummy! We added grand beef as well and they were perfect!
Amazing!!! So yummy we are going to make it again tomorrow! We added 1/2 lb. ground Turkey with taco seasoning and looooved it
These are the BEST bean enchiladas I have ever made. So easy and a great, inexpensive dish to serve to a crowd. I usually make them up ahead of time so I'm not cooking in the kitchen while my guests/friends are elsewhere. You truly will not find a better recipe. Hint: after I lightly pan fry my tortillas, I place them on my counter on top of waxed paper and evenly dish out the "insides" more evenly. Roll them up, plop them in a 9x13" pan, cover with sauce and cheese and they are ready to go! Thanks for this wonderful, delicious, easy recipe! 🙂
This recipe is incredible. The Herdez chipotle sauce really takes it to the next level too. I don’t usually love the flavor of chipotle but figured I’d try it bc I love Herdez’s other salsas and I’m obsessed! I warmed my tortillas up in the microwave with a damp paper towel instead of frying and skipped the crema but will try it next time. This is definitely being added to my meal rotation!
Great recipe! I could not get hot green chiles in a can (due to the Superbowl day), but used mild. Would use spicier ones next time.
Will be making again for sure!
Easy and delicious. Makes great leftovers too.
These were delicious! I couldn't find Herdez, but Old El Paso enchilada sauce worked just fine. I added frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed out) to the beans and cheese filling. It tasted amazing. I topped with homemade guac and some "crema" - I didn't have chipotles so I just mixed sour cream, Cholula hot sauce, and lime juice. I normally don't make so many substitutions but this recipe seems to be delicious no matter what! Thanks, Gaby!