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
Have you pre-made and frozen this recipe, if so any tips? Should I bake then freeze or freeze uncoooked and bake from frozen?
freeze uncooked then thaw and bake
I made this & it’s amazing! The only thing I changed was using spinach tortillas.
THANK you for another bomb recipe! The salsa Cremosa is a game changer
Holy cow! These enchiladas are so good! Husband and toddler approved!!
These are easy and delicious! The salsa Cremosa from Herdez is so good, however I bought the Chipotle flavor and it was so hot! My husband was sweating! Ha! So, buy Herdez but be aware the Chipotle one is spicy.
Yikes! Is that calorie count of 923; fat 63g and sodium 2723 mg per serving? That is really high!
omg thank you for calling that out - the nutritional calculator was assuming that the 1/2 cup of vegetable oil used for frying was being consumed. It's been updated
Excellent news as reviews were so great! Will try this recipe this weekend! Thank you for the update Gaby!
Looks amazing! Did you use the Herdez canned Red Enchilada sauce or the jar of Herdez Chipolte Salsa Cremosa? Only asking because I love following your exact recipes, as they are always winners!!!! Thank you.
I am a salsa cremosa fan for live!!