Brunch Enchiladas: A Deliciously Decadent Start to Your Day

Italian Chef Team

3 months ago

Brunch Enchiladas: A Deliciously Decadent Start to Your Day

Brunch is the perfect meal to indulge in a little bit of everything. Sweet, savory, breakfast, lunch – it’s all fair game! And what better way to celebrate the versatility of brunch than with a batch of mouthwatering enchiladas? These brunch enchiladas are packed with flavor, easy to customize, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Get ready to elevate your weekend brunch game!

## Why Brunch Enchiladas?

Enchiladas are incredibly versatile. They can be filled with almost anything you can imagine, making them perfect for using up leftover ingredients. They’re also relatively easy to assemble, especially if you use pre-cooked ingredients. And most importantly, they’re incredibly delicious! Brunch enchiladas take the comforting flavors of classic enchiladas and combine them with breakfast staples like eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese. It’s a match made in brunch heaven!

## What Makes These Enchiladas Perfect for Brunch?

These enchiladas are specifically designed to be brunch-worthy. Here’s what sets them apart:

* **Savory and Slightly Sweet:** A balanced flavor profile that appeals to both sweet and savory brunch lovers.
* **Customizable Fillings:** Adaptable to your preferences and whatever you have on hand.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** Prepare components in advance for a stress-free brunch.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A guaranteed hit for any brunch gathering.
* **Egg-cellent Addition:** We incorporate eggs right into the filling and on top, giving it that breakfast flair.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for these brunch enchiladas:

* **Tortillas:** Corn or flour tortillas work well. Corn tortillas offer a more authentic enchilada flavor, while flour tortillas are softer and easier to roll. I personally prefer flour tortillas for this recipe.
* **Filling:** This is where you can get creative! Here are some suggestions:
* **Protein:** Cooked and crumbled sausage, bacon, shredded chicken, chorizo, or vegetarian sausage crumbles.
* **Vegetables:** Diced onions, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, black beans, corn, zucchini.
* **Cheese:** Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend. Shredded cheese melts best.
* **Eggs:** Scrambled or fried eggs, chopped or diced, added to the filling or served on top.
* **Potatoes:** Diced and cooked potatoes (breakfast potatoes or roasted potatoes) add a hearty element.
* **Sauce:** Enchilada sauce (red or green), salsa, or a creamy cheese sauce.
* **Toppings:** Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, green onions, hot sauce, fried eggs.

**Specific Ingredient Quantities for the Recipe (Serves 6-8)**

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
* 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
* 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon cumin
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 8 large eggs, scrambled
* 8-10 flour tortillas (6-inch size)
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 2 cups enchilada sauce (red or green)
* Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, green onions, hot sauce

## Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Brunch Enchiladas

Now, let’s get to the fun part: assembling these delicious enchiladas. Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfect brunch enchiladas every time.

**1. Prepare the Filling:**

* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
* Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Add the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
* Stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
* Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
* Remove from heat and gently fold in the scrambled eggs. Be careful not to overmix.

**2. Warm the Tortillas:**

* Warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and prevents them from cracking when you roll them. You can warm them in a variety of ways:
* **Microwave:** Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds.
* **Oven:** Wrap the tortillas in foil and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
* **Skillet:** Warm each tortilla individually in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds per side.

**3. Assemble the Enchiladas:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
* Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
* Take one tortilla and place a generous amount of the filling (about 1/2 cup) down the center.
* Sprinkle some shredded cheese over the filling.
* Roll the tortilla tightly and place it seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
* Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them snugly in the baking dish.

**4. Bake the Enchiladas:**

* Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiladas.
* Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top.
* Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the enchiladas are heated through.

**5. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Remove the enchiladas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
* Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, green onions, and hot sauce.
* For an extra brunch touch, top each enchilada with a fried egg.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips for Success

* **Don’t Overfill:** Overfilling the tortillas can make them difficult to roll and can cause them to burst during baking. Aim for a generous, but manageable, amount of filling.
* **Warm Tortillas are Key:** As mentioned earlier, warming the tortillas is crucial for preventing them from cracking. Don’t skip this step!
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your enchiladas will taste. Choose fresh vegetables, high-quality sausage, and flavorful cheese.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** If you prefer a spicier enchilada, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling or use a spicier enchilada sauce. You can also add diced jalapenos to the filling.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Easily make these enchiladas vegetarian by substituting the sausage with vegetarian sausage crumbles or by adding more vegetables to the filling.
* **Customize the Cheese:** Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination. Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and a Mexican blend are all great options.
* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the enchiladas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

## Variations and Customization

The beauty of these brunch enchiladas is their versatility. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, sauces, and toppings to create your own signature version. Here are a few ideas:

* **Chicken Enchiladas Suizas:** Use shredded chicken as the protein and top with a creamy tomatillo sauce and Monterey Jack cheese.
* **Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas:** Make a vegetarian filling with black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, and onions. Top with salsa and avocado.
* **Spicy Chorizo Enchiladas:** Use chorizo as the protein and add diced jalapenos to the filling for a spicy kick. Top with pepper jack cheese and hot sauce.
* **Sweet Potato and Spinach Enchiladas:** A healthy and delicious vegetarian option with roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, and black beans. Top with a creamy cashew sauce.
* **Breakfast Burrito Enchiladas:** Use all your favorite breakfast burrito fillings, such as scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese. Top with salsa and sour cream.
* **Shrimp Enchiladas:** A seafood twist using shrimp as your protein, coupled with a creamy sauce and Monterey Jack cheese.

## Serving Suggestions

These brunch enchiladas are a meal in themselves, but they can also be served with a variety of sides to create a complete brunch spread. Here are some suggestions:

* **Fresh Fruit Salad:** A light and refreshing side to balance the richness of the enchiladas.
* **Yogurt Parfaits:** Layered with granola, berries, and honey for a sweet and tangy treat.
* **Avocado Toast:** A classic brunch staple that pairs perfectly with enchiladas.
* **Hash Browns:** Crispy and golden hash browns add a comforting touch to the meal.
* **Mimosa or Bloody Mary:** No brunch is complete without a festive beverage!
* **Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice:** Adds another layer of flavor and texture.
* **Refried Beans:** A classic and hearty side dish.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

One of the best things about these brunch enchiladas is that you can prepare them ahead of time, making them perfect for entertaining or for a busy weekend morning. Here’s how:

* **Prepare the Filling:** You can make the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
* **Assemble the Enchiladas:** You can assemble the enchiladas (without baking) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if necessary.

## Storage Instructions

Leftover brunch enchiladas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave them individually.

## Recipe Notes

* For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas and ensure that all of your ingredients are gluten-free.
* If you don’t have enchilada sauce on hand, you can use salsa instead. Just make sure to choose a salsa that you enjoy the flavor of.
* You can also add a dollop of Greek yogurt to each enchilada for a tangy twist.

## Brunch Enchilada Recipe Card

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add breakfast sausage to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes and green chilies, chili powder, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and fold in scrambled eggs.
6. Warm tortillas according to your preferred method.
7. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom.
8. Fill each tortilla with the sausage and egg mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Roll up and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
9. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Final Thoughts

Brunch enchiladas are a delicious and versatile way to start your day. With their customizable fillings and easy-to-follow instructions, they’re perfect for any occasion, from a casual weekend brunch to a festive holiday gathering. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable brunch experience! Happy cooking!

Tags: Recipes