Fudged Enchiladas ~AKA~ Poor Man Enchiladas

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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