Effortlessly Delicious: The Ultimate Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack Recipe for Family Dinners

If you’re searching for a Mexican food masterpiece that’s incredibly simple to prepare yet guaranteed to become a family favorite, look no further! This Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack is an absolute game-changer for weeknight meals or casual gatherings. It’s bursting with savory flavors, wonderfully gooey cheese, and rich enchilada sauce, all layered to perfection. My own family, especially the kids, absolutely devours this dish every single time it hits the table. It’s the ultimate solution for a satisfying, quick Mexican dinner without the fuss of rolling individual enchiladas. The photo below beautifully showcases the layers of goodness once sliced, giving you a peek into what makes this stack so irresistible.

Discover the Magic of a Layered Enchilada Bake

This “stack” approach transforms the traditional enchilada into a convenient and even more delightful casserole. Imagine six tortillas layered with seasoned ground meat, creamy refried beans, zesty green chilies, and generous amounts of shredded cheddar cheese, all bathed in a vibrant red enchilada sauce. It bakes into a cohesive, flavorful pie that’s easy to cut and serve. No more struggling with torn tortillas or messy fillings – just pure, unadulterated Mexican comfort food. The best part? It uses only a handful of common ingredients, making it an incredibly accessible and budget-friendly recipe, perfect for any home cook looking for a simple enchilada recipe.

The moment this Super Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack emerges from the oven, it’s a sight to behold. Golden-brown cheese, bubbling red sauce, and the aroma of authentic Mexican spices fill your kitchen. It’s a dish that promises warmth, flavor, and satisfaction with every forkful. This particular recipe, which we’ve adapted and perfected, draws inspiration from wonderful culinary creations online, including fantastic ideas like those originally shared by Chef in Training, embodying the spirit of accessible home cooking. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this substantial and delicious meal comes together, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly special and a family-friendly Mexican recipe.

Why This Easy Enchilada Stack Will Become Your New Go-To Dinner:

Effortless Preparation: Skip the tedious rolling! Layering tortillas with delicious fillings is significantly faster and easier, making this the perfect quick Mexican dinner for busy weeknights.
Minimal Ingredients: With just a few staple ingredients, you can create a hearty and flavorful meal without a lengthy grocery list. This simple enchilada recipe cuts down on complexity.
Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of seasoned ground beef enchiladas (or turkey), creamy beans, zesty green chilies, and melted cheddar cheese creates a rich, comforting taste that everyone loves.
Family-Friendly: This mild-to-medium spiced dish appeals to all ages, making it a guaranteed hit even with picky eaters and an ideal family dinner solution.
Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or dietary needs, from different proteins to varied cheeses and added vegetables.
Perfect for Leftovers: If there are any leftovers (a big “if”!), they taste just as fantastic the next day, making meal prep a breeze for your weeknight enchiladas.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesy Enchilada Stack

One of the best aspects of this easy enchilada stack recipe is its reliance on readily available ingredients. You likely have many of these in your pantry already, making last-minute dinner decisions simple and stress-free. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this fantastic Mexican dinner:

1 lb. Ground Turkey or Beef: This is the hearty foundation of your enchilada stack. Ground beef (80/20 or 90/10) offers a classic rich flavor, while ground turkey is a leaner, healthier alternative that still soaks up all the delicious seasonings. Feel free to use whichever your family prefers. Ensure it’s cooked thoroughly and drained of excess fat for the best texture and taste, forming the core of your ground beef enchiladas or ground turkey enchiladas.
2 (10 oz) Cans Red Enchilada Sauce: The soul of any enchilada dish! Opt for a good quality canned red enchilada sauce. You can choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your heat preference. If you’re feeling ambitious, a homemade red enchilada sauce would elevate this dish even further, but for an “easy” stack, canned works perfectly and saves a lot of time.
6 (8 inch) Flour Tortillas: Flour tortillas provide the soft, pliable layers for your stack. The 8-inch size is ideal for fitting into a standard baking dish and creating a substantial layered meal. While corn tortillas can be used, flour tortillas tend to hold up better in a stack format and contribute to a softer overall texture, making these delicious flour tortilla enchiladas.
1 (8 oz) Bag Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a fantastic choice for its sharp flavor and excellent melting properties, ensuring that gooey, irresistible texture. You can also use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a spicier pepper jack for an extra kick. Freshly grated cheese always melts better than pre-shredded, but a bag of pre-shredded works wonderfully for convenience, ensuring a truly cheesy enchilada stack.
1 (16 oz) Can Refried Beans: Refried beans add a creamy, savory layer that complements the meat and cheese beautifully. They contribute to the traditional Mexican flavor profile and help bind the layers together. You can choose traditional, fat-free, or even refried black beans for a slightly different taste, creating a delicious refried beans enchilada.
2 (4 oz) Cans Diced Green Chilies: These provide a mild, earthy heat and a wonderful depth of flavor without being overly spicy. Diced green chilies are a staple in many Mexican-inspired dishes and are essential for that authentic taste. Ensure you drain them well before adding them to your stack, enhancing the green chilies enchilada flavor.
1 Bunch Green Onions: Used primarily as a fresh, vibrant garnish, green onions add a mild oniony bite and a pop of color to the finished dish. They provide a lovely contrast to the rich, cooked flavors. Slice them thinly for the best presentation.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Assembling Your Perfect Enchilada Stack

Get ready to create an impressive and delicious Mexican meal with minimal effort! Follow these simple steps to assemble your Super Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack:

Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet, cook the 1 lb. of ground turkey or beef over medium heat until it’s completely browned and cooked through. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once done, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet. This step is crucial for preventing a greasy final dish. Once drained, stir in 1/2 cup of the red enchilada sauce into the seasoned meat. This infusion of sauce adds flavor and moisture right from the start, perfect for your ground beef or ground turkey enchilada layers.
Prepare Your Baking Surface: Lightly spray a large baking sheet (or a 9×13 inch baking dish if you prefer a tighter casserole) with cooking spray. This helps prevent the bottom tortilla from sticking and ensures easy removal of your layered enchilada bake.
Build the First Layer: Place one of the 8-inch flour tortillas flat on your prepared baking sheet or dish. Evenly spread 1/3 of your flavorful beef/turkey mixture over the tortilla, extending almost to the edges. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat layer.
Construct the Second Unique Layer: Place another flour tortilla directly on top of the first cheese layer. Now, spread half of the 16 oz can of refried beans over this tortilla. Next, pour 1/2 cup of the red enchilada sauce over the beans. Scatter one can (4 oz) of the drained diced green chilies evenly over the sauce, and finally, sprinkle another 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Repeat the Pattern: To create a substantial and delicious stack, you’ll repeat the layering process. Place a third tortilla on top, then repeat “Step 3” – spreading 1/3 of the remaining beef/turkey mixture and another 1/4 cup of cheese. Following this, place a fourth tortilla, and repeat “Step 4” – spreading the remaining half of the refried beans, another 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce, the second can of drained green chilies, and another 1/4 cup of cheese.
Final Meat Layer: Place a fifth tortilla on top. Spread the remaining beef/turkey mixture over this tortilla and sprinkle it with the final 1/4 cup of cheese from the initial layering portions.
Top it Off and Cover: Place the sixth and final tortilla on top of the stack. This acts as the protective cap for your enchilada stack. Carefully cover the entire stack with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the tortillas and ensure even cooking, preventing the top from browning too quickly while the internal layers heat through.
Initial Bake: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Bake the covered enchilada stack for 40 minutes. The goal during this stage is to heat the filling thoroughly and allow the flavors to meld. You want the stack to be piping hot throughout.
Uncover and Finish with Flavor: After 40 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Now it’s time for the final touches! Pour the remaining red enchilada sauce evenly over the top tortilla, ensuring it covers the surface. Generously sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce. Finally, scatter most of the thinly sliced green onions over the cheese (save a little for garnish if desired).
Final Bake for Melty Perfection: Return the uncovered stack to the oven and bake for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly golden. Keep a close eye on it during these last few minutes to prevent over-browning.
Rest, Slice, and Enjoy!: Once out of the oven, let the enchilada stack rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the layers to set slightly, making it much easier to cut into neat wedges without everything falling apart. Use a sharp knife to cut the stack into 6 generous wedges, just like a pie. Serve immediately and prepare for happy faces! ENJOY!! 🙂

Tips for an Even Better Enchilada Stack

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack from great to absolutely phenomenal:

Pre-Warm Tortillas: For extra pliability and to prevent any tearing during assembly, you can briefly warm your flour tortillas in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before layering. This makes them more flexible for your layered enchilada bake.
Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, be mindful not to overstuff each layer. This ensures the stack remains stable and cooks evenly.
Season Your Meat Well: Beyond the enchilada sauce, consider adding a pinch of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or onion powder to your ground meat while it’s browning for an extra boost of flavor, perfect for ground beef enchiladas or ground turkey enchiladas.
Even Spreading: Distribute the fillings as evenly as possible across each tortilla layer. This ensures every bite of your enchilada stack has a perfect balance of all the delicious components.
Let It Rest: The 5-10 minute resting period after baking is crucial. It allows the melted cheese and hot fillings to settle, making for cleaner cuts and easier serving. Patience here pays off!
Freshly Grated Cheese: If time allows, grating your own block of cheddar cheese will result in a smoother, creamier melt compared to pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents, contributing to an even cheesier enchilada stack.

Delicious Variations & Customizations for Your Layered Enchiladas

One of the joys of cooking is the ability to customize a recipe to suit your taste, and this Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack is incredibly versatile. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make this easy enchilada recipe truly your own!

Protein Swaps:
- Chicken Enchilada Stack: Instead of ground beef or turkey, use shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works perfectly for an even faster prep!). Mix it with the 1/2 cup enchilada sauce just like the ground meat. This creates a wonderful chicken enchilada stack.
- Vegetarian Enchilada Stack: Omit the meat entirely. You can boost the plant-based protein by adding an extra can of refried beans, or incorporating a can of black beans (rinsed and drained) and a cup of corn kernels into the layers. Season with plenty of chili powder and cumin for a flavorful vegetarian option.
- Pork Enchilada Stack: Shredded slow-cooked pork carnitas or seasoned ground pork can also make a fantastic filling for this layered bake.
Cheese Choices: While cheddar is classic, experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, Pepper Jack (for extra spice), or a ready-made “Mexican Blend” cheese. A sprinkle of cotija cheese as a garnish also adds a lovely salty finish to your cheesy enchilada stack.
Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and texture by incorporating finely diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), corn kernels, sautéed onions, or even a layer of fresh spinach into the stack. Add these alongside the meat or bean layers for more flavor and nutrients.
Spice it Up or Down:
- More Heat: Add a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture, include finely diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled) in your layers, or choose a “hot” variety of red enchilada sauce for a fiery green chilies enchilada.
- Milder: Ensure you select a “mild” red enchilada sauce and use only mild green chilies if you prefer less heat.
Homemade Sauce: For an extra special touch, make your own red enchilada sauce from scratch. It takes a little more time but the depth of flavor is unparalleled. Many simple recipes exist online for this.

Serving Suggestions for Your Mexican Feast

This Super Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides and fresh toppings to create a complete and vibrant Mexican dinner experience, making it a truly family-friendly Mexican recipe:

Classic Sides:
- Cilantro Lime Rice: A light, fragrant rice dish perfectly complements the rich flavors of the enchiladas.
- Mexican Black Beans: Serve an extra side of seasoned black beans for a protein and fiber boost.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty stack.
Fresh Toppings Bar: Set out a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their plate, enhancing their cheesy enchilada stack experience:
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A dollop adds a cool, creamy contrast.
- Fresh Avocado or Guacamole: Healthy fats and a buttery texture.
- Pico de Gallo or Salsa: Adds freshness and a tangy kick.
- Fresh Cilantro: Chopped cilantro enhances the authentic Mexican flavors.
- Diced Red Onion or More Green Onions: For a sharper, fresher onion flavor.
- Sliced Jalapeños: For those who love extra heat.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have any of this delicious Enchilada Stack leftover, you’ll be happy to know it reheats wonderfully! It’s a fantastic dish for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week, solidifying its place as a great weeknight enchiladas option.

Storage: Allow the enchilada stack to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer individual slices or the entire remaining stack to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating in the Oven: For best results, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover stack (covered with foil to prevent drying out) in an oven-safe dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes if you want the cheese to get a little crispy again.
Reheating in the Microwave: For a quicker option, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover loosely with a paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Be mindful that tortillas can sometimes become a little chewier in the microwave.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal Awaits!

There you have it – a comprehensive guide to making the Super Easy Cheesy Enchilada Stack that promises to deliver big on flavor with minimal effort. This layered enchilada bake truly embodies the spirit of comforting Mexican cuisine, reimagined for the modern, busy home cook. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting a casual dinner, or simply craving something incredibly satisfying, this easy enchilada stack is your answer. With its gooey cheese, perfectly seasoned meat, and delightful blend of textures, it’s bound to become a staple in your meal rotation. So, gather your ingredients, follow these straightforward steps, and get ready to enjoy a fantastic, homemade Mexican feast that everyone will rave about. This truly is the ultimate quick Mexican dinner. Happy cooking!