Description: Craving pizza and enchiladas but can’t decide? Why not have both? These Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are a fun, family-friendly meal that combines the best of both worlds. They’re easy to customize with your favorite pizza toppings, making them a perfect way to use up leftover ingredients. This recipe is a delightful twist on classic comfort food, offering a cheesy, saucy, and utterly satisfying experience that’s sure to become a weeknight staple.
Ingredients:
- 6–8 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 8 oz (about 1 cup) pizza sauce, divided
- 1 tsp garlic salt (optional)
- Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, cooked ground beef, etc.)
Preparation:
These Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are incredibly easy to make. You can have them prepped and ready for the oven in just a few minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this delicious mash-up:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). This ensures that the enchiladas will bake evenly and the cheese will melt perfectly.
- Grease a 9×13″ baking dish. This prevents the enchiladas from sticking to the bottom of the dish and makes serving easier.
- Pour half of the pizza sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish. This creates a saucy base that adds flavor and moisture to the enchiladas.
- If using, sprinkle garlic salt over the sauce. Garlic salt adds a subtle, savory flavor that complements the pizza sauce and toppings.
Step 2: Fill and Roll
- Lay out one tortilla on a clean, flat surface.
- Spread a bit of pizza sauce in the center of the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make the enchiladas soggy.
- Add a pinch of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. This helps to bind the toppings together and adds to the cheesy goodness.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings. Get creative and customize each enchilada to your liking. Some popular options include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, and cooked ground beef.
- Roll up the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. This prevents the enchiladas from unraveling during baking.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Step 3: Bake
- Pour the remaining pizza sauce over the rolled tortillas, ensuring they are evenly coated. This adds extra flavor and moisture to the enchiladas.
- Sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella cheese, reserving a little for topping. A generous layer of cheese is essential for that classic pizza experience.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortillas are heated through. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Step 4: Rest and Serve
- Let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes after baking before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and prevents them from being too hot to handle.
- Serve warm with extra pizza sauce, sour cream, salsa, or sliced olives on the side. These toppings add extra flavor and texture to the enchiladas.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
These Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for so many reasons. First, they’re incredibly versatile. You can customize them with any pizza toppings you love, making them perfect for using up leftover ingredients or catering to different dietary needs. Want a vegetarian option? Load them up with veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives. Craving something meaty? Go for pepperoni, sausage, or ground beef.
Second, they’re incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
Third, they’re a fun and creative twist on classic comfort food. Combining the flavors of pizza and enchiladas creates a unique and exciting dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Finally, they’re perfect for kids. The familiar flavors of pizza and the fun of rolling up the tortillas make this a dish that kids will love to help make and eat.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
These Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include:
- A side salad with a light vinaigrette
- Garlic bread
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Guacamole and tortilla chips
For a fun and festive presentation, serve the enchiladas in the baking dish and let everyone pick their own toppings and dips. Set out bowls of marinara sauce, ranch dressing, jalapeños, and chopped basil for a customizable enchilada-pizza mash-up!
Tips:
- To prevent the tortillas from cracking, warm them slightly in the microwave before filling.
- If you’re using canned vegetables, be sure to drain them well before adding them to the enchiladas.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce or top the enchiladas with jalapeños.
- If you don’t have pizza sauce on hand, you can use marinara sauce or even tomato paste mixed with water and seasonings.
- To make these enchiladas ahead of time, assemble them and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftover enchiladas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)
- Calories: Approximately 350-450 per enchilada
- Protein: Approximately 20-25 grams per enchilada
- Sodium: Approximately 500-700 mg per enchilada
Conclusion:
Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are a fun, easy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re customizable, versatile, and sure to please even the pickiest eaters. So, the next time you’re craving pizza and enchiladas, skip the takeout and make these at home instead. You won’t be disappointed! This recipe is a fantastic way to bring a little fiesta to your dinner table, and the combination of familiar flavors makes it a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a fun dish to serve at your next gathering, Pizza Enchiladas Fiesta are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the cheesy, saucy goodness and the smiles it brings to your family’s faces.
Questions and Answers:
- Can I use different types of cheese?
- Absolutely! While mozzarella is a classic choice, you can use any cheese that melts well. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses would all be delicious. Experiment and find your favorite combination!
- What if I don’t have pizza sauce?
- No problem! You can easily substitute marinara sauce or even make your own pizza sauce using tomato paste, water, and your favorite Italian seasonings. Just be sure to adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Can I make these vegetarian?
- Definitely! Simply omit any meat toppings and load up the enchiladas with your favorite vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives. You could also add some vegetarian protein sources like black beans or tofu.
- Can I freeze these for later?
- Yes, you can! Assemble the enchiladas but don’t bake them. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed.
- How can I make these spicier?
- There are several ways to add a kick to these enchiladas. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce, top the enchiladas with jalapeños, or add some chili powder to the meat filling. You could even use a spicy pizza sauce or add a dash of hot sauce to the sour cream topping.
