TikTok made our Lazy Enchiladas famous, and once you try them, you’ll see why! With frozen taquitos, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese, dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or whenever you need something easy and delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Lazy Enchiladas
- Frozen beef & cheese taquitos: (such as José Olé, El Monterey, or your favorite brand) Substitute chicken & cheese or bean & cheese taquitos if you prefer.
- Enchilada sauce: Red or green enchilada sauce both work great! (You can also make your own from scratch.)
- Mild diced green chilis
- Colby jack cheese: Or use a Mexican blend, shredded cheddar, or Monterey Jack.
- Fresh cilantro – for garnish.
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Diced tomatoes
- Black olives
- Shredded lettuce
- Jalapeños
- Crushed tortilla chips
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Lazy Enchiladas (TikTok Method)
Step 1: Arrange the Taquitos – Place the frozen beef & cheese taquitos in a single layer inside a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Add the Sauce and Chilis -Pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the taquitos, then sprinkle the diced green chilis across the top.
Step 3: Top with Cheese – Cover everything with the shredded Colby Jack cheese. Tip: For crispier taquitos, bake them for 5-7 minutes before adding the sauce.
Step 4: Bake – Bake uncovered at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
Step 5: Rest and Garnish – Let the enchiladas rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Not feeling lazy? If you have the time to make a from-scratch meal, you must try my beef enchilada casserole. Or for a “less lazy” enchilada recipe, my buffalo chicken enchiladas can be prepared in the instant pot, slow cooker, or large skillet.
Tips
- Pre-Bake for Crispier Taquitos: For a crispier texture, bake the taquitos for 5–7 minutes before adding the sauce, which helps prevent sogginess.
- Skip Pre-Baking for a Softer Texture: For a more traditional, soft enchilada-style texture, skip the pre-baking step and proceed directly to layering.
- Pour Sauce Evenly: Pour enchilada sauce evenly over all the taquitos to prevent them from drying out. Avoid stacking them too tightly, as this allows the cheese to melt and bubble evenly.
- Control the Cheese Texture: For a gooey, golden top, bake uncovered. Prefer a softer, steamier finish? Tent the dish with foil for the first 10 minutes, then uncover to let the cheese brown.
- Beans at the Bottom for a Hearty Twist: Spread a layer of refried beans or refried black beans on the bottom of the dish before adding the taquitos for extra flavor and richness.
- Make-Ahead Shortcut: Layer the taquitos and toppings in advance, but wait to add the sauce until just before baking for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
Round out your Lazy Enchiladas with some easy sides for a full meal! Here are a few favorites that pair perfectly:
- Sautéed peppers and onions
- Refried beans or refried black beans
- Fluffy Spanish rice or Mexican-style yellow rice
- Chips and salsa or queso
- Mexican street corn (elote)
- Simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Chicken taquitos work great in this recipe and pair perfectly with either red or green enchilada sauce. You can also try bean and cheese taquitos for a meatless version.
For crispier enchiladas, bake the frozen taquitos for 5–7 minutes before adding the sauce and cheese. This quick step helps them hold their shape better and stay less soggy.
Definitely! You can layer the taquitos, chilis, and cheese in the baking dish ahead of time. Just wait to pour the enchilada sauce until right before baking to keep everything fresh and prevent sogginess.
How to Store, Reheat, and Make Lazy Enchiladas Ahead of Time
- To Store: Store leftover lazy enchiladas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To avoid sogginess, let them cool completely before sealing.
- To Freeze: Avoid freezing this dish, as it can affect the texture of the taquitos and the sauce once reheated.
- To Reheat: For best results, reheat in the oven or air fryer. In the oven, bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. In the air fryer, heat at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until crisp. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
- Make-Ahead Tips: To assemble early, layer everything in the baking dish but don’t add the sauce until you’re ready to bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Great for busy nights!
Other Easy Dinner Recipes
- Fried Rice
- EggRoll In A Bowl
- Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Chicken Cobbler
- Taco Potatoes
- Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs
- Freezer Enchiladas
If you tried this Lazy Enchiladas Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Lazy Enchiladas
Ingredients
- 22.5 ounces box frozen beef & cheese taquitos
- 10 ounces can of enchilada sauce
- 4 ounces can of mild diced green chilis
- 8 ounces block of Colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a 9×13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place the frozen beef & cheese taquitos into the baking dish in a single layer.22.5 ounces box frozen beef & cheese taquitos
- Pour the enchilada sauce over the entire surface of the taquitos, followed by the diced green chilis.10 ounces can of enchilada sauce, 4 ounces can of mild diced green chilis
- Top the entire dish of lazy enchiladas with the shredded cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.8 ounces block of Colby jack cheese
- Allow the lazy enchiladas to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with the chopped fresh cilantro before serving.1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The longer these sit, the softer the corn tortillas will become.
- To Reheat: Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
- Feel free to make your own enchilada sauce if you have a recipe you love. If using a homemade enchilada sauce, you will need about 1¼-1½ cups for this recipe.
- You can add a layer of traditional refried beans or refried black beans to the bottom of the baking dish before adding the layer of frozen taquitos for a twist on this easy recipe.
We love Mexican food and these enchiladas were by far the easiest ever and super delicious! Gonna put these on rotation! The hardest part was opening the can of sauce. Yummy!
Well, I can’t help with the can opening (LOL) but I love that it was a hit!