Easy Meal Prep- Enchilada casseroles

I am all about making life easy before I go into work for a stretch of 12 hour shifts at the hospital and this meal prep that I did last week was not only simple, but both of these enchilada casseroles were so easy to make that they were done in less than an hour. Which also makes this an easy weeknight meal (it would only take about 30 minutes to prep and cook one of them).

These were both Mexican inspired dishes but they taste so different from one another that I don't mind eating them for multiple days in a row- and neither does my picky husband. They freeze really well too which means if you are only cooking for one, and you hate eating the same thing over and over that you can freeze and take out later for an easy meal to heat and eat.

I find that if you dedicate a few hours a week for meal prep that your time in the kitchen throughout the week decreases and life becomes more simple. You have good meals that don't come out of a box to put on the table for your family at the end of the day and that is always something to feel good about. Both of these casseroles were made up of simple ingredients, most of which I had in my pantry and fridge already which was just an added bonus.


Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole

1 and 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 package of corn tortillas (you can use flour as well- It took around 15 shells to make the casserole but the shells are very small)
1 package of taco seasoning
1/2 white onion, chopped finely
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped finely (optional)
1 10 oz can red enchilada sauce
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1) Chop half a large onion
2) Add ground beef and onion to a skillet and cook through. Season with 1 package of your favourite taco seasoning

3) In a large casserole dish (I think mine is 9' by 13'), pour about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of the dish, which will ensure that your casserole won't stick

4) Put a layer of tortilla shells in the bottom of the casserole dish and spread a layer of refried beans on top of them

5) Sprinkle some of the meat mixture and cheese on top of the refried beans and drizzle this with a some more of the red enchilada sauce

 

 6) Your first layer will look like the picture on the right.

7) Now add another layer of tortillas, beans, meat, cheese and sauce. Top this later with tortillas and cover with the rest of the enchilada sauce and cheese.

8) Place in a 375 degree oven until the casserole is heated through and the cheese on top is nice and melty. (About 30 minutes, depending on your oven)

9) Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Enjoy

Recipe: Chicken enchilada casserole

2-3 large chicken breasts
1 and 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup plain greek yogurt (can sub sour cream)
1 can diced green chilis (I used a meduium sized can, but 2 small cans will do just fine)
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1 half large white onion, chopped finely
4 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cumin
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cups mozarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1) Boil chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Cut into small cubes once cooked and add to sauté pan with 2 tbsp olive oil and onion and cook on low-medium heat until onions are translucent. Season with salt and pepper and cumin and remove from heat

2) While your chicken breasts are cooking, make your white enchilada sauce by adding 1 Tbsp oil, jalapeno and can of green chilis to a sauce pan on medium heat and stir until hot

3)  Add flour and stir for 1 minute

4) Add stock and yogurt and bring to a boil. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Turn to medium heat and continue stirring until sauce is starting to thicken. Once sauce is thickened, remove from heat.

5) Add about 1/2 cup of the sauce to the bottom of a 9' by 13' casserole dish just to cover.

6) Add a layer of corn tortillas and cover these with sauce

7) Top with the chicken mixture and sprinkle this layer with some mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup). It will look like the pics below

8) Continue to layer tortillas, sauce and chicken until chicken mixture is gone. Add one more layer of tortillas to the top and pour sauce liberally over the casserole. Top with the rest of the cheese

9) Bake at 350 degrees until casserole is heated through and cheese is nice and melted.

10) Serve with sour cream and salsa

Enjoy