Surprise! I bet you thought you were tuning in for a sweet, yummy dessert recipe or maybe a unique twist on savory enchilada's, perhaps utilizing a mole' sauce?! NOPE! GOTCHA!
This recipe is FUDGED because well, quite simply it more technique then recipe and processed foods are the focal point. GASP! SHOCK! ....OK, are you done now? YES! Even I use processed foods and I think in moderation that is OK. NO really, get over it; this is scrumptious and if you are like me and have nights where dinner is a conundrum, you are pooped out, uninspired and you don't want fast food, this is a fun little fix. Paired with some rice and salad it is balanced meal. Oh, did I mention this is economical as well?! With salad and rice, you come in at about $7 and feed 6-8 people a hearty meal that has protein. WHOOOOOP!
I also can't resist sharing the special place this recipe/method holds in our hearts, it is the first meal I cooked for the big guy in his apartment. I remember it well, the shock of finding out that he was existing on frozen corn dogs, chicken nuggets, burritos and snak-pak pudding! Then of course, wanting to impress this man who had captured my heart from our first date, lightening hit and I remembered this "recipe" that a friend had shared with me years before. After a quick jaunt to the grocery store to grab two ingredients the big guy didn't have, I popped "Fudged Enchiladas AKA Poor Man Enchiladas" into his little toaster oven.
Sixty minutes later we sat down to a lovely meal, sixty five minutes later, the big guy was licking his plate and asking for more. 7 months later we were married. Six years later, no more Costco size bags of processed foods can be found in our freezer and we don't even own a microwave. However, yes, on THOSE nights, we enjoy taking a walk down memory lane as we dig into a plate of hot, savory, ooey, gooey, Americanized, Mexican food, goodness. I hope you enjoy this "Quick Fix" meal, as always, make it your own. This is how to cook it up at our house:
"Fudged Enchiladas" ~AKA~ "Poor Man Enchiladas"
You will need:
- 1- Eight count package of frozen burritos or chimichangas (You can also use frozen taquitos)
- 1- 28 Oz. Can of enchilada sauce, green or red. OR 1-10 Oz. can of enchilada sauce plus two cups of salsa *
- 2- C. Shredded cheese (I like Monterrey Jack/Colby blend)
- Add On's: Olives, Onions, Sour Cream, Tomatoes, Salsa......whatever you might like!
Simple starts |
What to do:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Spray 9X13" baking pan with cooking spray
- Place burritos, single layer, in bottom of the pan
- Smother burritos with enchilada sauce
- Cover with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes
- Remove tin foil, load on your cheese and back into the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes more.
- Add on your "Add On's" and enjoy!
Frozen pockets of bean and beef , YUM! |
Swimming in green sauce (our current favorite). |
Bring on the cheese! |
Can't wait to dig in! |
"Fudged Enchiladas"....CAN you believe this came from the freezer and pantry?! |
While my enchiladas are cooking, I usually steam a wee bit of rice in tomato/chicken broth and whip up a simple salad. The salad especially, serves as a nice counter balance of coolness to the enchiladas.
Kids gobble these up and enjoy help putting them together. Double the recipe for a dinner party or to feed hungry teens on a sleepover night (so much more economical then getting pizza's).
*If I don't have enchilada sauce, I grab a 28 Oz. can of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes and throw in 2 Tb. of Chile Powder, 1 Tb. each of Cumin and Garlic Powder. You can adjust the spices as you like, or keep your sauce naked. Also, as I mentioned above, taquitos are another great choice as your base! I adore chicken taquitos and green sauce with this recipe/method.
The recipe/method is a pass a long, not sure where it originated. The photos are mine. Please feel free to share with friends and family but I hope you will remember to share where you sourced it from! Don't forget to "Like" Cobwebs To Cookies on Facebook, I share "Quick Tips" often that will help you get dinner on the table, come up with a fun creative gift or even just live life a wee bit more trouble free.
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