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Tortilla Chip Enchiladas: The Ultimate Deconstructed Casserole with Cheesy-Layered Excellence

A hearty, "no-roll" version of classic enchiladas. This casserole uses crunchy tortilla chips as the base, which soften beautifully as they bake in a rich red enchilada sauce. Mixed with seasoned ground beef, zesty green chilies, and a generous three-cup layer of shredded cheese, it’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • The Protein: 1 lb ground beef or shredded chicken/turkey.
  • The Crunch: 1 bag 12 oz tortilla chips.
  • The Sauce & Spice: 28 oz can red enchilada sauce 4 oz can diced green chilies (drained), 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ cup salsa.
  • The Cheese: 3 cups shredded cheese divided.

Method
 

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  2. Sauté: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain the excess fat.
  3. Season: Stir the diced green chilies, salsa, and cumin into the beef. Mix well to ensure the meat is fully seasoned.
  4. The Mash-Up: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the tortilla chips. Gently break them up with your hands (don't crush them into dust; you want bite-sized pieces).
  5. Fold: Add the beef mixture, the entire can of enchilada sauce, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the chips. Gently fold everything together until the chips are well-coated.
  6. Bake: Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheese over the top.
  7. Cover & Cook: Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 50 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.
  8. Rest: Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the chips to finish absorbing the sauce.

Notes

  • Chip Choice: Use a thicker, "restaurant-style" tortilla chip if possible. Thin chips may break down too much during the long 50-minute bake.
  • Topping Ideas: This bake is fantastic topped with cold, fresh ingredients like shredded lettuce, diced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream.
  • Substitutions: If you use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef, you can skip the browning step and go straight to mixing!