Can I use corn tortillas instead of frozen taquitos?

While the convenience of taquitos is what makes this recipe "lazy," you could certainly roll your own enchiladas with corn tortillas, beef, and cheese. Just note that this would create a more traditional enchilada texture and would require significantly more prep time.

Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?

Absolutely! Use hot enchilada sauce instead of mild, add jalapeños or serrano peppers to your toppings, or mix a dash of cayenne pepper into your green chilies before adding them to the dish.

My family doesn't like cilantro. What can I use instead?

No problem! You can substitute fresh parsley for a bright green garnish, or simply omit the herb altogether. A sprinkle of sliced green onions would also work well.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Use bean and cheese taquitos instead of beef ones. You could also add a layer of black beans or corn to increase the veggie content. Just verify that your enchilada sauce doesn't contain chicken broth if you're strictly vegetarian.

Lazy Enchiladas Recipe

Name: Lazy Enchiladas Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients: 22.5 ounces frozen beef & cheese taquitos; 10 ounces enchilada sauce; 4 ounces mild diced green chilis; 8 ounces Colby jack cheese, shredded; 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

This ingenious Lazy Enchiladas recipe transforms frozen taquitos into a mouthwatering Mexican-inspired casserole in just 25 minutes! By layering taquitos with enchilada sauce, green chilies, and melted cheese, you’ll create a dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for those hectic weeknights when you’re craving something delicious but don’t have the energy for complicated cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Easy: Let’s be honest – sometimes we want homemade flavors without the homemade effort. This recipe delivers exactly that with minimal prep work.
Time-Saving: From freezer to table in 25 minutes means you can satisfy your enchilada cravings even on your busiest nights.
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love this fun twist on traditional enchiladas. The familiar flavors come together in a way that pleases everyone at the table.
Customizable: The basic recipe is fantastic, but you can easily adapt it with your favorite toppings and additions to make it your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Frozen beef & cheese taquitos: The brilliant shortcut that makes this recipe work. They provide both the protein and the tortilla component in one convenient package.
Enchilada sauce: Brings that authentic Mexican flavor without any work. It seeps into the taquitos as they bake, creating fantastic flavor throughout.
Mild diced green chilies: Adds a gentle heat and authentic Southwestern flavor without overwhelming the dish.
Colby jack cheese: Creates that irresistible melty, gooey topping that makes the dish so satisfying. The mild flavor complements the other ingredients perfectly.
Fresh cilantro: Brightens the entire dish with its distinctive flavor and adds a pop of color for visual appeal.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Here are some tasty ways to mix it up:

Protein Swaps

Replace beef taquitos with chicken ones for a lighter option, or try bean taquitos for a vegetarian version.

Bean Boost

Spread a layer of refried beans (traditional or black) on the bottom of the dish before adding the taquitos for added protein and texture.

Cheese Choices

Experiment with authentic Mexican cheeses like Queso Asadero, Queso Fresco, or Oaxaca cheese. Monterey Jack also works wonderfully if that’s what you have on hand.

Heat Level

Use hot enchilada sauce instead of mild, add jalapeños to the topping, or mix in some cayenne with the green chilies if you prefer more spice.

How to Make Lazy Enchiladas

Step 1: Prepare Your Dish

Preheat your oven to 425°F and give a 9×13 glass baking dish a quick spray with cooking spray. Nothing sticks to this dish on your watch!

Step 2: Arrange the Taquitos

Lay those frozen beef & cheese taquitos in a single layer in your baking dish. No need to thaw them first – they’ll cook perfectly from frozen.

Step 3: Add the Sauce and Chilies

Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over all the taquitos, making sure each one gets some saucy love. Then scatter those mild green chilies across the top for that authentic flavor.

Step 4: Cheese it Up

Cover the entire dish with a generous layer of shredded Colby jack cheese. Don’t be shy here – the melty cheese is what makes this dish truly irresistible.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the dish in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is completely melted and bubbling around the edges.

Step 6: Rest and Garnish

Let the enchiladas rest for about 5 minutes (this helps the flavors settle and prevents mouth burns!), then sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure your taquitos have a little breathing room in the pan for even cooking.
Watch the Edges: If you notice the edges browning too quickly while baking, loosely cover with foil for the remaining cook time.
Sauce Distribution: Pour the enchilada sauce in a zigzag pattern across the taquitos to ensure even coverage.
Quality Ingredients: While this is a “shortcut” recipe, using good-quality enchilada sauce makes a big difference in the final flavor.
Fresh Cheese: Grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.

How to Serve

These Lazy Enchiladas are practically a complete meal on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to round out your dinner:

Toppings Bar

Set out small bowls of sour cream, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, sliced olives, and sliced jalapeños so everyone can customize their portion.

Side Dishes

Pair with yellow rice or cilantro lime rice for a more substantial meal. Refried beans also make a perfect traditional side.

Fresh Elements

A simple side salad with lettuce, tomato, and avocado dressed with lime juice balances the richness of the enchiladas.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together nicely overnight!

Freezing

While you can freeze the finished dish, the texture of the taquitos may change. Better to assemble and freeze before baking, then bake from frozen when ready (adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time).

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. You can microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, though the taquitos won’t be as crispy.

FAQs

Can I use corn tortillas instead of frozen taquitos?

While the convenience of taquitos is what makes this recipe “lazy,” you could certainly roll your own enchiladas with corn tortillas, beef, and cheese. Just note that this would create a more traditional enchilada texture and would require significantly more prep time.
Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?

Absolutely! Use hot enchilada sauce instead of mild, add jalapeños or serrano peppers to your toppings, or mix a dash of cayenne pepper into your green chilies before adding them to the dish.
My family doesn’t like cilantro. What can I use instead?

No problem! You can substitute fresh parsley for a bright green garnish, or simply omit the herb altogether. A sprinkle of sliced green onions would also work well.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Use bean and cheese taquitos instead of beef ones. You could also add a layer of black beans or corn to increase the veggie content. Just verify that your enchilada sauce doesn’t contain chicken broth if you’re strictly vegetarian.

Final Thoughts

These Lazy Enchiladas prove that delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult. When time is short but your craving for Mexican food is strong, this recipe will save the day! With just 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a hot, cheese-covered meal that satisfies like you wouldn’t believe. It’s become my go-to solution for busy weeknights, and I’m betting it will become yours too!