Enchiladas de Queso con Chile Colorado (Red Cheese Enchiladas)
Melting cheese rolled in corn tortillas under a deep red chilli sauce, with creamy refried beans on the side.
Made with Chile colorado sauce and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.15 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Mix the chopped onion with 200 g of the cheese in a bowl.
- 2
Warm 350 ml of your ready made chile colorado sauce (see the base recipe) in a wide pan over a low heat.
2 min - 3
Heat the oil in a small frying pan and fry each corn tortilla (see the base recipe) for 10 seconds a side. Drain on kitchen paper, then dip each one in the warm sauce.
- 4
Fill each tortilla with the cheese and onion mix, roll up and lay seam side down in a baking dish.
- 5
Pour the last 100 ml of sauce over the top and scatter with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbling and golden at the edges.
15 min - 6
Warm your refried beans (see the base recipe) while they bake. Serve the enchiladas with beans, soured cream and spring onions.
Tips
- Use a cheese that melts well. Mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese all work. Avoid very hard cheeses that turn oily.
- Do not overfill the tortillas or they split. About 2 tablespoons each is plenty.
- Let the dish stand 5 minutes before serving so the cheese sets a little and the rolls hold their shape.
Storing and freezing
Keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat at 180C for 15 minutes until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Are these enchiladas vegetarian?
Yes, as long as the cheese is suitable. Many cheddars use animal rennet, so look for a vegetarian labelled one. The sauce and beans are vegan if made as written.
Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Yes. Sauteed courgette, sweetcorn, spinach or mushrooms all work. Cook off any liquid first so the tortillas do not turn soggy.
Can I use flour tortillas to make them nut free and cheaper?
Corn tortillas are already nut free. Flour tortillas also work, but they are softer, so skip the frying step and just warm them.
More made with chile colorado sauce
Huevos Ahogados en Chile Colorado (Eggs Poached in Red Chilli Sauce)
DFNFVSopa Seca de Fideo con Chile Colorado (Dry Fideo Noodles)
DFEFNFGarbanzos en Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Chickpea Stew)
GFDFEFEmpanadas de Chile Colorado (Mexican Red Pork Pasties)
NFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.