Lazy Enchiladas

Lazy Enchiladas are the fastest way to make enchiladas. For a quick and flavorful Tex-Mex dish, just layer of savory beef with cheese taquitos, zesty enchilada sauce, and melted cheese. Ready in just 20-25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Servings8

Lazy enchiladas are the perfect solution for when you’re craving a hearty, flavorful meal without all the fuss. This recipe swaps out traditional rolled tortillas for a shortcut using frozen taquitos, turning this classic dish into an effortless weeknight dinner. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have cheesy, saucy enchiladas on the table in no time—without sacrificing any of the bold Mexican flavors you love.

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Main Ingredients: Frozen taquitos, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese

Quick Steps: Pre-bake taquitos, pour enchilada sauce, top with cheese, bake again, serve with toppings

Estimated Time and Yield: 25 minutes, serves 6

Why Our Recipe: Our team tested this recipe multiple times to ensure that these lazy enchiladas give you the same satisfying textures as traditional ones—without the extra work. The taquitos keep a bit of their crispy exterior even after being smothered in enchilada sauce and melted cheese, while the inside stays tender and flavorful. It’s this unique combination of textures that sets this recipe apart from other shortcuts.

Pro Tip: For a flavor boost, mix a half cup of salsa into the enchilada sauce before pouring it over the taquitos. This adds an extra layer of tanginess without making the recipe more complicated.

Lazy Enchiladas Ingredients

Get ready to whip up these Lazy Enchiladas, where simplicity meets deliciously cheesy Tex-Mex flavor in a dish that’s as easy to make as it is to eat. Here’s the simple ingredients to make lazy enchiladas.

Substitutions and Additions for Lazy Beef Enchiladas

Not only are these TikTok lazy enchiladas easy to make, it’s also easy to customize. Here are some ways you can change up the recipe:

Frozen taquito variety: Chicken & cheese or bean & cheese taquitos all work easily as well! Lazy chicken enchiladas, lazy bean enchiladas… they’re all great options.

Enchilada sauce: For a spicier kick, choose a medium or hot enchilada sauce.You can also make your own homemade enchilada sauce if you prefer. If you choose to make your own, you’ll need about 1¼-1½ cups total for this recipe.

Cheese: Mix things up by using a blend of cheeses like cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or Mexican blend. For a more authentic flavor, you can try Mexican cheese like queso asadero, queso resco, cotija cheese, or Oaxaca.

Toppings: Get creative with your toppings! Add sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, or avocado slices for extra flavor and freshness.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on the side.

Refried or black beans: You can add a layer of beans to the bottom of your casserole dish before adding your taquitos. It will make the recipe more filling.

How to Make This Lazy Enchilada Recipe

This easy enchilada recipe uses just a couple of ingredients to make a cheesy dish that’s a great recipe for busy weeknights. It’s an easy meal that will please even the pickiest eaters. The best part? It takes just 25 minutes from start to finish!

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven and spray a nine by thirteen inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray.

PRO TIP: For even easier clean up you can line your baking dish with nonstick aluminum foil.

STEP TWO: In the bottom of the dish make a single layer of frozen beef and cheese taquitos. It’s ok if they’re touching. 

PRO TIP: The best way to keep your beef enchilada casserole from getting soggy is to keep your taquitos frozen right until you bake the casserole, so don’t take them out of the freezer until you’re ready to put them in the baking dish.

STEP THREE: Pour the store-bought red enchilada sauce over the entire casserole, then sprinkle the diced green chilis overtop.

STEP FOUR:​ Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the entire dish. Try to make an even layer. 

STEP FIVE: Bake the dish until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow the beef taquito casserole to rest for five minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve, and enjoy!

How To Serve Lazy Enchiladas

This lazy beef taquito casserole comes hot out of the oven and bursting with flavor. It’s fine to set the whole dish on the table and just dig in, but if you want to round out your dinner, here are some easy ideas:

Classic Presentation: Arrange the lazy enchiladas on a platter and garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro. Serve alongside bowls of sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced avocado for a traditional Tex-Mex feast.

Serve with Traditional Side Dishes:​ Tortilla chips and fruit salsa, hot pinto beans, 

Lunchtime Salad: Serve your lazy enchiladas with a hearty salad. The taquito casserole will be warm and filling while the salad will provide a welcomed freshness and crunchy kick.

For a refreshing beverage, pair your Lazy Enchiladas with a pitcher of homemade watermelon cocktails or some party punch.

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When To Serve Lazy Enchiladas

This frozen taquito casserole isn’t the fanciest dish, but it sure is a delicious meal! You can serve it any night of the week or at pretty much any casual gathering. 

Game Night Gathering: Lazy enchiladas make the perfect casual party food. Double the recipe if you’re serving a crowd, and watch your dinner disappear!

Family Potluck Picnic: Lazy enchiladas are an easy take-along dish, and can be simply served alongside fresh fruit salad and chips with salsa.

Weeknight Dinner Rush: In the midst of a hectic week when time is scarce (but bellies are hungry!), this frozen taquitos recipe comes to the rescue. With minimal prep and cook time, it’s satisfying meal that’s ready in a flash.

Holiday Fiesta: Whether it’s Cinco de Mayo, or simply a festive gathering, lazy enchiladas bring a taste of Mexico to the party. Serve them alongside refreshing margaritas, chips and guacamole, and Mexican street corn for a fiesta to remember.

How To Store Leftover Lazy Enchiladas

If you have leftover lazy enchiladas with taquitos, keep in mind that the longer they sit, the soggier the corn tortillas will become. So we suggest eating them as quickly as possible so they maintain their texture and flavor.

Here’s what to do with your leftovers:

MAKE AHEAD: We think this recipe is best made fresh, especially since it only take a few minutes to make. If you want to make it ahead for meal prepping, make the recipe as written, then freeze portions in small, airtight containers. Allow the enchiladas to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover taquito enchiladas in an airtight container for up to two days. If there’s a lot of sauce around the enchiladas, you can store it in a separate container to keep the tortillas from getting too soggy.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze your leftover enchiladas for up to two months if wrapped up well. Set the enchiladas on a large sheet of aluminum foil, then wrap them tightly.

Place them in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

HOW TO REHEAT: To reheat leftoverlazy enchilada casserole, there are several methods you can use.

In the oven: Preheat to 350°F and bake the enchiladas, covered with aluminum foil, for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

In the microwave: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for one to two minutes or until warmed to your liking.

Be sure to check the internal temperature to ensure thorough reheating. Enjoy!

Why This Lazy Enchiladas Recipe Is the Best

Why do we adore Lazy Enchiladas? Well, we’re lazy home cooks, of course, who love easy recipes we can make our families! But this recipe in particular is a stand-out dish. 

Reasons We Love This Recipe:

Effortless Preparation: Lazy chicken enchiladas require pretty much no effort. It’s close to impossible to fail with this quick meal and there’s very little prep time needed.

Ultimate Comfort Food: There’s something inherently comforting about Tex-Mex, especially when it’s a zesty, cheesy dish. Lazy taquito enchiladas are so warm and nostalgic!

Family-Friendly Favorite: Loved by both kids and adults alike, lazy enchiladas are a hit with the whole family, and if you have a picky eater, they may actually like this one!

Minimal Cleanup: With just one baking dish to clean up after dinner, lazy enchiladas are a dream come true for busy households. Say goodbye to a sink full of dishes on Mexican night!

In just a few simple steps, you can whip up these lazy enchiladas with taquitos, delivering a tasty Tex-Mex treat that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Enjoy the convenience and flavor of this dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!

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Lazy Enchiladas

5 from 1 vote

Lazy Enchiladas are the fastest way to make enchiladas. For a quick and flavorful Tex-Mex dish, just layer of savory beef with cheese taquitos, zesty enchilada sauce, and melted cheese. Ready in just 20-25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 8

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Ingredients

  

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• 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

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place the frozen beef & cheese taquitos into the baking dish in a single layer.
• Pour the enchilada sauce over the entire surface of the taquitos, followed by the diced green chilis.
• Top the entire dish of lazy enchiladas with the shredded cheese and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Allow the lazy enchiladas to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with the chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

• These lazy enchiladas can be served with optional ingredients such as sour cream, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, sliced olives, sliced jalapenos, refried beans, and/or yellow rice.
• You can substitute chicken & cheese taquitos for the beef ones.
• You can add a layer of traditional refried beans or refried black beans to the bottom of the baking dish before adding the layer of frozen taquitos for a twist on this easy recipe.
• If you want to use a more authentic Mexican cheese for melting, you could use Queso Asadero, Queso Fresco, or Oaxaca. Monterey Jack is also a great choice for this dish.
• If using a homemade enchilada sauce, you will need about 1¼-1½ cups for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 579mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 2mg

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