Beef Chiliquillas
Flavorful beef chiliquillas feature crispy tortillas layered with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings, perfect for a hearty, crowd-pleasing Mexican-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Bake tortillas until crisp, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
- Brown the ground beef in a frying pan; drain off any fat.
- Add tomato paste, chilies and tomatoes, half the chopped onion, and cayenne pepper to the beef; simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Layer beef mixture, broken tortillas, remaining onion, and cheese three times in a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Serve with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and salsa, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding more cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños. If you prefer a lighter dish, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or use black beans for a vegetarian option. Corn tortillas work well too and can add a slightly sweet flavor. Don't forget to use fresh ingredients for the best taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Beef Chiliquillas topped with shredded lettuce, diced fresh tomatoes, and a dollop of salsa for added freshness. This dish pairs beautifully with sides like Mexican rice or refried beans. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a light salad or even Cindy'S Chile Rellenos as an additional side.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power until warmed through. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated, which helps maintain the crispiness of the tortillas.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef Chiliquillas contains roughly 759 calories, with 36g protein, 69g carbohydrates, and 46g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (186% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (117% of the Daily Value), and protein (72% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1169mg per serving (51% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Beef Chiliquillas ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the beef mixture and layer it with the tortillas and cheese ahead of time. Just cover and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. When baking, you may need to add a few extra minutes to ensure it's heated through.
What can I use instead of tomato paste?
If you don't have tomato paste, you can substitute it with an equal amount of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. Just remember that using sauce may alter the texture slightly, so you might want to adjust the cooking time accordingly to thicken the mixture.
Can I freeze Beef Chiliquillas?
Absolutely! You can freeze the assembled dish before baking. Just cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. To bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as instructed. If already baked, it can also be frozen, but be aware that the texture of the tortillas may change slightly.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).