New Mexican food is an exquisite blend of Spanish and Native American influences and results in sumptuous flavorful dishes steeped in tradition. One such hallmark dish is the New Mexican Flat Enchiladas—a reinvention of traditional rolled enchiladas, offering stacked layers of tortillas, cheese, and rich chile sauce. They are unlike old-fashioned enchiladas, rolled up and often soggy within, but served stacked, being easier to set up while maintaining strong flavors. This article will lead you through a step-by-step guide to make genuine New Mexican Flat Enchiladas in the comforts of your home.

Ingredients for New Mexican Flat Enchiladas

For the Red Chile Sauce:

8 dried New Mexico red chilies (or 4 tablespoons red chile powder)

2 cups water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)

For the Enchiladas:

12 small corn tortillas

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack)

1 small onion, chopped finely

1/2 cup cooked ground beef or shredded chicken (optional)

4 large eggs (for topping, optional)

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (for garnish)

1/2 cup sour cream (for serving)

1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional, for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Red Chile Sauce

Remove stems and seeds from dried red chilies. If using chile powder, omit this step.

Boil chilies in water for approximately 10 minutes until soft.

Blend softened chilies, garlic, cumin, salt, and oregano until smooth.

Heat vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat, add flour (if used) and sauté for 1 minute.

Add blended chile mixture to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes until it thickens.

Season with salt as desired.

Step 2: Fry the Corn Tortillas

Heat a little vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Slightly fry corn tortillas for roughly 10 seconds per side. This stops them from being too soggy when stacked.

Drain tortillas on paper towels and put aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Flat Enchiladas

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Spread a little red chile sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

Put one tortilla in the dish and cover with a spoonful of red chile sauce.

Sprinkle shredded cheese, onions, and meat (if using) over the tortilla.

Put another tortilla on and continue layering until you have a stack of three tortillas per enchilada serving.

Pour additional red chile sauce over the top layer and sprinkle additional cheese.

Step 4: Bake and Serve

Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

If using eggs, fry them separately and place one fried egg on top of each enchilada stack.

Garnish with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and sour cream.

Serve hot and enjoy your authentic New Mexican Flat Enchiladas!

Tips for the Best Flat Enchiladas

Use authentic New Mexico red chilies for a bold and earthy flavor.

Briefly fry the tortillas to keep them from becoming mushy but retain texture.

Adorn with your preferred toppings such as avocado pieces, pickled jalapeño slices, or green onions for added freshness.

Serve with common sides such as Mexican rice and refried beans for a balanced meal.

New Mexican Flat Enchiladas are a warm and savory dish that captures the spirit of the Southwestern cuisine. With pieces of tortilla, melted cheese, and rich red chile sauce layered atop, the dish will be one to love in your household. Try this recipe today and taste the beautiful flavors of New Mexico!

Enjoy your homemade flat enchiladas and let us know how they turned out! ????