Crunchy Tortilla Chip Enchiladas — Quick Weeknight Casserole

This easy family dinner recipe feeds a crowd!

If you’re searching for quick, easy, and delicious dinner ideas, this baked enchilada casserole is a perfect choice. It’s simple to prepare, great for feeding a group, and even picky eaters tend to love it. The combination of basic ingredients mixed together and baked creates an irresistible enchilada-like flavor without the fuss of rolling individual tortillas.

Tortilla chips soften as they bake in enchilada sauce and melted cheese, taking on the texture of tortillas. My family likes to finish theirs with sour cream and fresh toppings such as diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, shredded lettuce, and avocado. Serve with Spanish rice or beans for a fuller meal.

Step 1 Begin by sautéing the chopped onion in a large skillet, then add and brown the ground beef. While the meat is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2 Break the tortilla chips into smaller pieces (you can do this while still in the bag). Place the chips, cooked beef and onions, enchilada sauce, and salsa into the prepared baking dish, reserving about 2 cups of the cheese to sprinkle on top later. Use your hands or a large spoon to mix everything together so the chips are well coated with sauce.

Step 3 Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan and top with the remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

It really is that simple. Baking tortilla chips with sauce and cheese gives them a tortilla-like texture and great flavor. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Lazy Enchiladas (super easy dinner idea!)

Looking for a quick family dinner? This Mexican-style casserole uses just six affordable ingredients and tastes like traditional enchiladas. It’s a go-to for busy weeknights and picky eaters.

Course: Main Course

Keyword: budget friendly, casserole, easy dinner, enchiladas, family meal, main dish, mexican

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion (chopped)
• 1 (12oz) bag tortilla chips
• 1 (28oz) can red enchilada sauce (large can)
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 (32oz) bag Mexican cheese blend (large bag)

Instructions

• In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion until soft. Add the ground beef and brown; draining is optional.
• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Break up the chips while still in the bag. Add the chips, enchilada sauce, salsa, and cooked beef to the dish, reserving about 2 cups of cheese for the top.
• Mix everything together so the chips are well coated. Flatten the mixture evenly in the pan and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Serve with sour cream, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, avocado, jalapeños, chives, or other favorite toppings.

Notes

• If you prefer, mix everything in a large bowl first to avoid handling the hot skillet or to make stirring easier.
• Customize this casserole by using green enchilada sauce or adding cooked black beans, corn, or other vegetables.
• You can also make a version using frozen taquitos for a different shortcut approach.