Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (2024)

Published: Modified: by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

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Enchilada Bake is super-easy to prepare using pantry and freezer staples, and so tasty it's sure to become a long-time family favorite! No need to turn on your oven, this recipe uses the magic of your slow cooker.

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (1)

This crock pot enchilada bake is super easy to make using pantry and freezer staples and your slow cooker!

Enchilada bake recipes are always a hit in my house. However, sometimes at the end of a long day, I am not in the mood to wait for the oven to preheat and then cook my food.

The preparation is straight-forward and budget-friendly, plus you can customize with the addition of chicken or beef, or keep it as a meatless meal for the vegetarian in your life!

I have to be honest, it makes me really happy to have dinner already prepared and just about ready for serving when I get home. Which is why my slow cooker is my best friend.

Now this dish is not one that turns out fine if you cook it all day. It works best when you are able to be home about 3 hours before dinner to kick things off. However, if you really can't make that happen you can certainly cook it on low all day. If you do that, however, just be prepared for your rice to get a little mushy.

Many people would be put off by mushy rice, which is why I have the directions for a 3 hour cook time. However I must admit that my family is not picky about mushy rice. Thing 2 actually kind of LIKES mushy rice. So if your family is like that, feel free to make this into an all-day cooking recipe! 🙂

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (2)

This enchilada bake recipe is an easy vegetarian meal!

Also, note that, as written, this recipe is vegetarian. But you can definitely add chicken or beef if you like. You can add about 2 cups of cubed chicken or beef right at the beginning, or you can add cooked cubed meat at the end when you add the corn and beans.

Steps for making this Enchilada Bake

Step 1.

Step 1 looks a little complicated, but it's really not. Basically, you add the rice, spices, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and pepper strips, and mix well. Easy!

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (3)

Step 1a - Add the rice and spices into the crock pot

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (4)

Step 1b - add the tomatoes and vegetable broth

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Step 1c - add the pepper strips

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Step 1d - mix well

Step 2.

Then you cook for 3 hours, and it starts to look like this:

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (7)

Step 2 - Cook for 3 hours

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Step 3 - Add corn and beans to the crock pot

Step 4.

Add the shredded cheese, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.

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Step 4 - Sprinkle with shredded cheese

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Step 5 - Allow the cheese to melt

Variations for this Enchilada Bake recipe

  1. This recipe as written is vegetarian, but feel free to add chicken or beef if you like. Add about 1-2 cups of cubed meat. If you add uncooked meat, add it before you cook for 3 hours. If you add cooked meat, add it at the end when you toss in the corn and beans.
  2. Would you like to make this a vegan meal? Omit the cheese, or substitute a vegan cheese.
  3. Not a fan of brown rice? This works well with white rice too. Be sure to use regular white rice, not instant rice!
  4. If you don't have vegetable broth, you can substitute chicken or beef broth.
  5. Garnish with cilantro, or scallions, or lime wedges. Or all 3!

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (11)

This enchilada bake recipe is a family-favorite weeknight dinner!

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Crock Pot Enchilada Bake

Serve along with refried beans, a side salad, or even chips and salsa.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! Enjoy!

📋 Recipe Card

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (12)

Crock Pot Enchilada Bake

Recipe Author: Kristin

Enchilada Bake is super-easy to prepare using your slow cooker and pantry and freezer staples, and it's so tasty it is sure to become a long-time family favorite!

4.88 from 16 votes

Print Recipe Bookmark

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cup brown rice
  • 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon each, salt and pepper
  • 14 ounces tomatoes with green chilis (1 can, undrained)
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce (1 can)
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
  • 14 ounces frozen pepper and onion strips (1 bag)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 14 ounces pinto beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
  • 14 ounces black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In the slow cooker, combine the rice, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and frozen pepper and onion strips.

    1 ¼ cup brown rice, 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon each, salt and pepper, 14 ounces tomatoes with green chilis, 8 ounces tomato sauce, 1 ½ cups vegetable broth, 14 ounces frozen pepper and onion strips

  • Cook on high 3 hours.

  • Add the corn and the beans, mix well, and cook on low for an additional 20 minutes, until the corn is thawed and the beans are heated through.

    1 cup frozen corn, 14 ounces pinto beans, 14 ounces black beans

  • Sprinkle the top with the cheese, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

    1 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • Serve as is, or with garnish of chopped cilantro, chopped scallions, or lime wedges.

Notes

  • You can add about 1-2 cups of cubed chicken or beef if you like. If you add uncooked meat, add it before you cook for 3 hours. If you add cooked meat, add it at the end when you toss in the corn and beans.
  • This recipe can be made vegan if you skip the cheddar cheese, or substitute a vegan cheese.
  • If you don't have brown rice, feel free to use white rice. However, make sure it is regular white rice, not instant rice!
  • Chicken or beef broth can be used in place of the vegetable broth.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 1162mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3275IU | Vitamin C: 95.8mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 5.7mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (13)

This enchilada bake recipe is an easy vegetarian meal!

More Mexican recipes...

If you like this recipe, you my also like some of my other Mexican-inspired dishes! Kids love macaroni and cheese, so try this mac and cheese with a Mexican twist: Maccarones Con Queso.

They also love mini-food, so take a look at these adorable Fajita Bowls. BONUS - the bowls are edible!

Last but not least, this Fiesta Lasagna is a cheesy, flavorful, and fun weeknight meal!

Looking for some additional enchilada recipes?

These Easy Chicken Enchiladas will hit the spot. Or, if you are in the mood for something beefier, try these Beef Enchiladas.

What is your favorite enchilada recipe? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

Happy cooking!

Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (14)
Enchilada Bake - Easy Crock Pot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to non soggy enchiladas? ›

To prevent your tortillas from tearing or becoming soggy, quickly fry each corn tortilla in any oil you like for about 10 seconds on each side, until it starts to get crispy but is still pliable. This will add a barrier that will keep the tortilla from absorbing too much sauce, and also adds a little extra flavor.

Do you put sauce on enchiladas before or after baking? ›

Step 1: Make 10 minute homemade red enchilada sauce using fridge and pantry staples. Step 2: Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese into the centers of corn tortillas then roll and place inside a casserole dish. Step 3: Cover with red sauce then bake.

Should enchiladas be covered when baking? ›

Most enchiladas are baked and covered with foil until heated through. Oven temperatures and baking times vary per recipe, but on average they cook in a 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the enchiladas after they are heated through.

Can I put frozen chicken breast in the crockpot? ›

"It is safe to cook a frozen chicken in a slow cooker," Quin Patton, a food scientist formerly with PepsiCo, told TODAY. "You just need to make sure the internal temperature gets up to 165 degrees at some point during the cooking process."

How do you make enchiladas not soggy with flour tortillas? ›

Adding your tortillas intoan already-warm pan instead of a cold one will help them start cooking and getting crispy right away, rather than risking sogginess. Make sure that you lightly grease your dish, which will help keep the tortillas from sticking to the pan.

Should I cover my enchiladas with foil when I bake them? ›

Cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and sour cream.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Enchiladas are laden with sauce and fillings, and you need a tortilla that will hold up to all the moisture, so you should always opt for corn over flour.

What can I use instead of enchilada sauce? ›

Tomato sauce is a good way to replace enchilada sauce if you're looking for a milder alternative. It's easy to take a pre-made tomato sauce and spice it and add other ingredients to get closer to a real enchilada sauce.

How do you know when enchiladas are done baking? ›

Wrap tortillas tightly around filling, placing seam side down in baking dish. Top enchiladas with enchilada sauce and remaining cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

How to cook real good enchiladas in the oven? ›

Grab a tray of our Creamy Poblano Chicken Enchiladas from your local Costco or other grocery store and remove the plastic. Transfer it to an oven-safe container or cook it right in the tray. Bake at 375 degrees for 27-29 minutes. When the enchiladas are done cooking, let rest for 2 minutes.

Are yellow or white corn tortillas better for enchiladas? ›

Yellow corn tortillas have a stronger corn flavor, whereas white tortillas have an almost oaky, nutty flavor when toasted. I personally like white tortillas for tacos and enchiladas, and use yellow ones for fried tortillas and corn chips when I want that corn taste to really come through.

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker? ›

You can overcook chicken in a slow cooker. If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry and tough. Check your chicken for doneness early, especially if it is one of your first times making it.

Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot for 4 hours? ›

Cooking frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts on high in a slow cooker typically takes about 3-4 hours.

How long does it take to cook chicken on high in the crockpot? ›

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with plenty of salt and pepper. Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes.

How do you keep corn tortillas soft for enchiladas? ›

To use the oven to soften your tortillas, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once heated, wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until they are warm and pliable enough to roll.

How do you fix watery enchilada sauce? ›

The simplest would be to make a thin paste of 1 teaspoon of cornflour or corn starch and water, add it to the sauce, and simmer it for 3 minutes.

Why do you cover enchiladas with foil? ›

Foil Covering: Most enchiladas are covered with foil while baking. This helps to trap steam and heat, ensuring that the enchiladas cook evenly and stay moist. The foil is typically removed towards the end of the baking time to allow the cheese on top to melt and develop a golden brown crust [1].

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