Skip to Content

25 Tasty Recipes Using Red Enchilada Sauce

25 Tasty Recipes Using Red Enchilada Sauce

Find tasty recipes using red enchilada sauce in this epic list, along with reliable sauce products and tips for using the Mexican condiment in your cooking.

Red enchilada sauce is known for its spicy, tangy flavor and smooth, pourable texture, coming from tomatoes, chiles, garlic, and zesty spices. 

While red enchilada sauce is a classic accompaniment to enchiladas, its versatility knows no bounds. You can use this Mexican sauce in many dishes, like tacos, chiles rellenos, tamales, or even as a pizza sauce.

Red Enchilada Sauce Products To Buy

Here are some of the best red enchilada sauce products you can buy:

  • Old El Paso enchilada sauce. Popular American grocery store choice known for consistent flavor.
  • Las Palmas red enchilada sauce. Authentic taste with mild, medium, and hot options.
  • Hatch red enchilada sauce. Unique flavor from New Mexico’s Hatch chiles.
  • Rosarita enchilada sauce. Long-standing brand with a loyal following in recipes.
  • La Victoria red enchilada sauce. Rich and tangy favorite for Mexican dishes.

Tasty Recipes Using Red Enchilada Sauce

1. Cheesy Enchilada Rice Skillet

This skillet recipe is like an inside-out enchilada or a glorified Mexican fried rice. It’s customizable to what you have on hand, and you can add more veggies or even grilled chicken for extra protein. 

2. Cheese Enchiladas With Red Sauce

These enchiladas are filled with cheese and covered in a homemade red enchilada sauce that’s so good. The recipe is simple, and you can freeze the enchiladas for a future meal.

3. Enchilada Rice

This rice dish has enchilada sauce, onions, beans, corn, pepper, and salsa. It pairs well with beef, chicken, or fish, or add protein to make it a standalone meal.

4. Simmered Chicken Breast

This chicken dish uses store-bought or leftover enchilada sauce. Just season and sear the chicken tenderloins, simmer them in sauce, then serve with veggies and rice or use in tacos. 

5. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is like a lasagna, using just chicken, enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and Monterey Jack Cheese. It’s a budget-friendly meal offering the taste of enchiladas without the rolling effort.

6. Enchilada Egg Skillet

This Enchilada Egg Skillet uses enchilada sauce, tortillas, and eggs, and can be made in 10 minutes. Top it with avocado, cotija, and cilantro for added flavor.

7. Beef Enchilada Dip

This easy enchilada dip recipe combines ground beef, cream cheese, and enchilada sauce. It’s ready in just 20 minutes and can be made ahead of time, making it an ideal party appetizer.

8. Loaded Smothered Beef Burritos

This Mexican comfort food is made with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, rice, and cheese, smothered in enchilada sauce and more cheese. It’s easy to make and can be frozen for later.

9. Mexican Pizza

This pizza recipe is ideal for those times when you’re torn between Italian and Mexican cravings. Simply crisp the tortillas in oil, bake the assembled pizza until the cheese melts, and serve with toppings like salsa or enjoy plain.

10. Mexican Chicken, Sweet Potato & Black Bean Skillet

This delectable one-pot dish includes chicken, sweet potatoes, and protein-rich black beans, seasoned with Mexican spices. It’s finished with cilantro and avocado for added fresh flavor. 

11. Poblano Enchilada Quiche

Poblano Enchilada Quiche is a fusion of poblano peppers with a creamy egg and cheese base. You whisk the ingredients together, include fried poblano peppers, and then bake it for a flavorful dish.

12. Chicken Enchilada Soup

This soup is creamy and can be made on the stove or in a crock pot using different chicken cuts or leftovers. It’s great for cold weather and can be tailored to your desired spice level.

13. Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

This dish combines all your favorite enchilada ingredients, browns them in a skillet, and stuffs them into a juicy bell pepper. The peppers are baked until golden with bubbly cheese on top. 

14. One Pot Enchilada Pasta

This 30-minute dish uses minimal ingredients and cooks pasta in the sauce, saving on cleanup. It’s finished with a gooey layer of melted cheddar cheese on top. 

15. Enchilada Meatballs

These meatballs are cooked in a slow cooker with enchilada sauce and Rotel, then topped with cheese for a delicious finish. It can be served over rice for a meal or with toothpicks for a fun appetizer. 

16. Breakfast Enchiladas

This dish features cheesy scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage in corn tortillas, topped with red enchilada sauce and cheese. It’s a twist on breakfast tacos for those seeking variety.

17. Tortilla Chip Enchiladas

This casserole uses beef or chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, and chips. It’s straightforward to make–simply brown the meat, add salsa, chilies, and cumin, then bake with chips and sauce.

18. Enchiladas With Tofu & Black Beans

This recipe gives enchiladas a new spin using tofu, black beans, spinach, and red bell pepper. With a homemade red sauce, these wholesome enchiladas are comforting and flavorful.

19. Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms

This recipe is a yummy fusion of Mexican flavors and the earthy taste of mushrooms. It involves hollowed-out mushrooms filled with an enchilada sauce and topped with cheese, then baked until golden.

20. Mexican Enchilada Frittata With Chicken

This frittata is cooked with Mexican spices and topped with Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and an authentic enchilada sauce. It’s just as tasty the following day, making it a great option for an everyday brunch. 

21. Chicken Enchilada Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Chicken Enchilada Grilled Cheese Sandwich blends Mexican and American flavors. It features chicken, enchilada sauce, and Monterey Jack cheese on sourdough bread.

22. Enchilada Tacos

These tacos have a creamy texture from the sour cream, a melty quality from the cheese, and varied textures from the other toppings. The tangy and spicy kick of the enchilada sauce enriches their taste.

23. Mexican Lasagna

This Mexican Lasagna recipe uses layers of tortillas, beef, taco seasoning, cheese, and enchilada sauce, topped with sour cream. It’s simple, versatile, and perfect for quick meals.

24. Enchilada Turkey Burgers

Topped with melted Mexican cheese and served on buns, these burgers are a fresh take on classic burgers. Each bite is a mix of hearty, spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.

25. Enchilada Pasta Salad

This enchilada pasta salad can be served as a side dish or main course. The enchilada sauce offers a smoky taste, offset by tangy sour cream and lime, and a hint of heat from jalapenos.

Tips For Using Red Enchilada Sauce

Whether you’re making enchiladas, tacos, casseroles, or even soups, here are some tips for using red enchilada sauce in recipes:

  • Choose quality. Pick a good red enchilada sauce, whether store-bought or homemade.
  • Taste and tweak. Adjust the flavor with your favorite Tex-Mex spices, hot sauce like Cholula, or zesty Cajun blends like Tony Cacherre’s.
  • Layer wisely. Layer sauce between filling and tortillas for even flavor.
  • Glaze meats. Brush sauce on grilled or roasted meats that reduces into a tasty glaze.
  • Thinning trick. Dilute thick sauce with broth for the right consistency that works well for your own recipe.
  • Simmer for flavor. Let dishes simmer to develop flavors.
  • Pair complements. Combine sauce with ingredients like cheese, beans, and cilantro.
  • Store properly. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.

The bottom line

Red enchilada sauce is a dynamic ingredient that extends far beyond its traditional use in enchiladas. Its origins in Mexican cuisine have given rise to countless culinary possibilities, from tacos and casseroles to dips and salads. 

Its ability to infuse dishes with bold, spicy flavor ensures it remains a beloved staple in kitchens worldwide, proving that this sauce is more than just a one-trick pony.

25 Tasty Ways To Use Red Enchilada Sauce

25 Tasty Ways To Use Red Enchilada Sauce

This epic list features delectable recipes using red enchilada sauce, from classic enchiladas and casseroles to skillet dishes and pasta.

Ingredients

  • Cheesy Enchilada Rice Skillet
  • Cheese Enchiladas With Red Sauce
  • Enchilada Rice
  • Simmered Chicken Breast
  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • Enchilada Egg Skillet
  • Beef Enchilada Dip
  • Loaded Smothered Beef Burritos
  • Mexican Pizza
  • Mexican Chicken, Sweet Potato & Black Bean Skillet
  • Poblano Enchilada Quiche
  • Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
  • One Pot Enchilada Pasta
  • Enchilada Meatballs
  • Breakfast Enchiladas
  • Tortilla Chip Enchiladas
  • Enchiladas With Tofu & Black Beans
  • Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Mexican Enchilada Frittata With Chicken
  • Chicken Enchilada Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Enchilada Tacos
  • Mexican Lasagna
  • Enchilada Turkey Burgers
  • Enchilada Pasta Salad

Instructions

  1. Take a look at our Recipes Using Red Enchilada Sauce list!
  2. Add your own flair to make it a new dish.
  3. Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
  4. Love this list? Be sure to share it on your socials!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Skip to Recipe