What To Do With Leftover Enchiladas?

what to do with leftover enchiladas

After a delicious Mexican dinner, you may be left with some leftover enchiladas.

Don’t let them go to waste.

Check out these quick ideas of mine on what to do with them.

From breakfast to dessert, there’s something for everyone.

So get cooking and enjoy.

Make a Soup

Making a soup with your leftover enchiladas is a quick and easy way to get a meal on the table.

To do this, you’ll want to dice the leftover enchiladas and place them in a saucepan.

Then, add about 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Then let it simmer until you reach your desired consistency.

Now, if you’re like me, I don’t want tomato-based enchilada sauce in my soup, so I make a quick enchilada sauce with only black beans and some spices to add a little flavor.

Now you can add your enchiladas to the soup pot.

Once it starts to boil again, reduce heat and let simmer for about ten minutes or until ready to serve.

You’re left with a delicious soup that’s perfect for these cold winter nights.

Make Enchilada Omelets

Just like my soup, if you have diced up your enchiladas, this is a quick and easy way to transform them into breakfast.

To do so, whisk 4 eggs with about 1/4 cup of water.

Once your eggs are whisked, add your enchiladas to them and mix well.

Then, get a large skillet prepared with cooking spray or butter.

Once it’s hot, pour in your egg mixture.

You’ll want to let the eggs cook for about 2-3 minutes before flipping over onto the other side (or until you can easily slip a spatula underneath).

Slide onto your plate and enjoy.

You’ve got yourself an enchilada omelet.

Yum.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgaKSNdJeWs[/embedyt]

Make a Casserole

This is a great way to use up any leftover tortillas that you might have.

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spraying a casserole dish with cooking spray or buttering it.

Then, pour in some enchilada sauce at the bottom of the pan (about 1/4 cup) and spread it around to cover the entire bottom.

Next, make 2 layers of tortillas.

You can cut them up or break them into pieces (which is what I prefer).

Then add your enchilada sauce and cheese on top.

Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes and you’re left with a delicious casserole dish that’s perfect for family dinner.

Make Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

You can easily turn your leftover enchiladas into a delicious stuffed pepper recipe to enjoy any day of the week.

Just take one large bell pepper and cut out its insides.

Discard or compost these pieces, as well as the stem.

Then, cut your enchiladas into fourths or smaller pieces if you’d like.

Next, place the bell pepper in a small baking dish with about 1/4 cup of water at the bottom.

Then top with cheese and bake for about 15 minutes covered in aluminum foil to let it cook through.

Once it’s done cooking, pour some enchilada sauce over the top and enjoy.

Add Them to a Salad

Just like you would put croutons on your salad, adding tortillas is a great way to up your salad game.

It adds tons of flavor and boosts the nutritional value as well.

Plus, it only takes about 5 minutes to prepare.

All you have to do is heat up your tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds so they’re easier to cut.

Then, cut them into smaller pieces and place over top of your salad.

Use about 1/2-1 cup (depending on how many you’re making).

Then, top with some cheese or any other fixings you’d like and enjoy a delicious, nutritious salad.

Make Enchilada Nachos

Everybody loves nachos.

So why not combine two of your favorite dishes into one? This is a great way to use up any leftover tortillas that you have from the week.

Begin by cutting up your tortillas into fourths or putting them into smaller pieces.

Then, spread them out on a baking sheet and drizzle some olive oil or vegetable oil over the top of them.

Sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top as well (I use garlic powder, onion salt, cayenne pepper, chili powder, etc.)

Then bake until they are hard and crunchy.

You can eat them as is or top them with your favorite ingredients to make it a meal.

Make Enchilada Oatmeal

I can’t think of anything more delicious for breakfast other than enchilada oatmeal.

This recipe is super easy and you only need about 5 minutes before you’re ready to eat it.

Plus, you can heat it up throughout the week for an easy breakfast as well.

Start by adding some unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any type of milk you prefer) to your oatmeal and heat it in the microwave according to the directions on the package.

Then, stir in about 1/4-1/2 cup of your enchilada sauce to give it tons of flavor.

Top with some cheese and enjoy.

Make Enchilada Ramen

what to do with leftover enchiladas

This recipe is inspired by traditional ramen but uses tortillas instead.

It might sound a little weird at first, but once you try it I’m sure you’ll fall in love.

To start, heat up your tortillas (usually about 4) and cut them into fourths.

Then stir fry some vegetables like onions, mushrooms, and peppers in a pan with olive oil or butter until cooked through.

Next, you’ll add 8 oz.

of ramen noodles (if you can’t find these at your local grocery store, buy dry ones and prepare according to the directions on the package).

Stir in a few tablespoons of your enchilada sauce and add some water or vegetable broth if you’d like.

Then add in your tortilla pieces and heat everything together for another couple of minutes.

This will make sure everything is nice and warm throughout.

Top with your favorite toppings like cheese, avocado, or anything else you’d like and enjoy.

Can you eat leftover enchiladas?

Yes, you can eat leftover enchiladas.

They store pretty well in the fridge for up to five days.

Just make sure you do not leave them out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Also, if you want to reheat them, be sure to bake them at 350 degrees F or lower so they don’t get soggy.

How long do leftover enchiladas last?

If prepared and stored correctly, leftover enchiladas should last for up to five days in the refrigerator.

They can also be frozen if you’d like to store them for longer.

How do you fix soggy enchiladas?

If your enchiladas have gotten soggy, you can put them back in the oven at 350 degrees F for about fifteen minutes or until they’re heated through.

You can also place them in the microwave if you need them to be ready faster.

Another tip is to cut your tortillas into smaller pieces so they heat more quickly and evenly.

Can you eat enchiladas cold?

No, you should never eat cold enchiladas.

You can only eat them when they are reheated in the oven or microwave.

Is it better to freeze enchiladas cooked or uncooked?

You should freeze cooked enchiladas so you can reheat them without worrying about getting sick.

If you freeze them uncooked, the food may not be safe for consumption.

Can you reheat enchiladas the next day?

Yes, you can reheat enchiladas the next day.

It is not recommended to eat them cold because they are unsafe for consumption.

You should reheat them in the oven or microwave to make sure they are nice and warm all the way through.

Can I reheat enchiladas in an air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat enchiladas in an air fryer if you’d like.

It is one of the healthier ways to prepare them, which is good if you are looking for a quick meal.

To reheat, place your enchiladas on the frying rack and heat them at 360 degrees F for about fifteen minutes.

How do you reheat enchiladas in a pan?

You can reheat enchiladas in a pan if you’d like.

Just place them on the stovetop at medium heat so they can heat through.

If you want to crisp up the tortillas, add a little oil or butter before heating them.

Conclusion

There are so many different ways to enjoy enchiladas, and we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Whether you add them to a salad, make nachos, oatmeal, or ramen, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal that is packed with flavor, look no further than enchiladas.

Let me know how you like to eat your enchiladas – I would love to hear from you.

Further reading:

Enchilada Recipes | Allrecipes

Tamara Pierce

Tamara Pierce is a food writer at Elapasony, passionate about exploring diverse cuisines and sharing recipes and food experiences. From trendy restaurants to local hotspots, she's always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors.

Recent Posts