Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

The Perfect Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Recipe Everyone Loves

Cheesy enchilada scalloped potatoes represent a mouthwatering fusion of classic comfort food and bold southwestern flair.

Hearty potato slices absorb spicy sauce and revolutionize into a creamy, decadent casserole that tingles taste buds.

Melted cheese creates a golden, bubbling canvas of flavor that elevates this dish beyond ordinary side offerings.

Crispy tortilla chip toppings provide a satisfying crunch against the soft, rich layers beneath.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of textures and zesty seasonings that dance across your palate.

Layers of smooth potatoes and robust cheese intertwine to create a truly memorable culinary experience.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible twist on traditional potato dishes.

Why Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Are a Flavor Bomb

  • Spice Up Your Comfort Food: This recipe transforms classic scalloped potatoes into a zesty, Mexican-inspired dish that delivers a flavor-packed punch with enchilada sauce and melted cheese.
  • Quick and Easy Layered Delight: Requires minimal prep time and uses simple techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a crowd-pleasing side dish or main course.
  • Textural Sensation: Combines crispy tortilla chip topping with creamy potato layers and melted cheese, creating a satisfying contrast of crunchy and smooth textures in every bite.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Works brilliantly as a hearty side dish for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings, offering a delicious twist on traditional potato recipes.

Everything You Need for Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes

Dairy Products:
  • Butter: Greases the dish and adds rich flavor to the sauce.
  • Milk: Creates a creamy base for the enchilada sauce.
  • Cheese: Provides melty, gooey texture and sharp cheesy taste, choose a good melting variety like cheddar or monterey jack.
  • Sour Cream: Adds cool, tangy topping for serving, full-fat version recommended.
Potato and Herb Components:
  • Potatoes: Starchy base of the dish, use waxy or all-purpose potatoes for best texture.
  • Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds mild onion flavor and bright color.
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Flour: Thickens the sauce and creates smooth consistency.
  • Enchilada Sauce: Adds spicy mexican-inspired flavor to the potato dish.
  • Tortilla Chips: Crunchy topping that provides textural contrast and additional flavor.

How to Make Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes in Layers

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Warm your oven to 400°F and generously butter a 9×9 or 8×8-inch casserole dish.

Step 2: Create Creamy Enchilada Sauce

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and enchilada sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, and cook for 5 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in of cheese until completely melted.

Step 3: Build Potato Layers

Arrange the first layer of sliced potatoes in the prepared casserole dish. Pour half the sauce over potatoes and sprinkle with half the remaining cheese. Create a second layer with:
  • Remaining potatoes
  • Remaining sauce
  • Remaining cheese

Step 4: Add Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips across the top, followed by a final layer of cheese.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil.

Step 6: Finish And Serve

Remove from oven and garnish with green onions. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream on the side.

Tips to Elevate Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes

  • Slice Potatoes Evenly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut potatoes into uniform 1/4-inch thick slices, ensuring consistent cooking and perfect texture throughout the dish.
  • Choose the Right Potato: Opt for starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold, which provide creamy consistency and absorb sauce beautifully without becoming mushy.
  • Control Sauce Thickness: Whisk constantly while making the sauce to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency that coats potatoes perfectly.
  • Prevent Burning: Cover the casserole with foil if the top browns too quickly, protecting the chips and cheese from scorching while allowing potatoes to cook thoroughly.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: For extra richness, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or ground cumin to the sauce, elevating the enchilada-inspired flavor profile.

Storing and Reheating Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes the Smart Way

  • Refrigerate: Transfer leftover enchilada scalloped potatoes to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a secure lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Reheat in Oven: Restore the crispy texture by reheating in the oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place potatoes in an oven-safe dish, and cover with aluminum foil. Warm for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of milk if the dish seems dry. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top layer.
  • Microwave Option: For a quick reheat, use the microwave.

What to Serve with Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes

  • Spice Up with Salsa Selection: Pair the cheesy enchilada scalloped potatoes with a vibrant fresh salsa or pico de gallo to cut through the richness and add a zesty contrast.
  • Cool Down with Creamy Complement: Serve alongside a crisp, tangy coleslaw or a light cucumber salad to balance the dense, cheesy potato dish and provide a refreshing side.
  • Match with Mexican-Inspired Beverage: Enjoy with a cold Mexican beer like Modelo or Corona, or a refreshing margarita that complements the enchilada sauce's spicy undertones and helps cleanse the palate.
  • Protein Partner: Add grilled chicken or carnitas on the side to transform this potato dish into a complete, satisfying meal with extra protein and complementary flavors.

Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Variations to Satisfy Every Craving

  • Southwestern Spice Blast: Replace enchilada sauce with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, intense flavor profile. Add diced jalapeños and green chiles to boost heat and complexity.
  • Mexican Street Corn Style: Mix in roasted corn kernels between potato layers. Incorporate crumbled cotija cheese and sprinkle chili powder for an authentic street corn experience.
  • Green Chile Chicken Edition: Layer shredded rotisserie chicken between potato slices. Use green chile enchilada sauce and mix in diced green chiles for a hearty, protein-packed version.
  • Vegetarian Black Bean Fusion: Substitute chicken with black beans and roasted bell peppers. Include diced poblano peppers and use vegetable enchilada sauce for a plant-based alternative with rich, earthy flavors.
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Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes Recipe


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4.5 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Cheesy Enchilada Scalloped Potatoes blend Mexican and American comfort cuisines into one irresistible dish. Layers of creamy potatoes, spicy enchilada sauce, and melted cheese create a hearty casserole sure to satisfy your deepest hunger cravings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 lbs russet or Yukon gold potatoes (sliced)
  • 2.5 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (divided)
  • 1 cup red enchilada sauce

Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Sour cream (for serving)

Garnish and Topping:

  • 0.5 cup crushed corn tortilla chips
  • Snipped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F (200°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish with butter, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Create the creamy enchilada sauce by melting butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Incorporate flour and continuously stir for 2-3 minutes to develop a smooth roux. Gradually introduce milk and enchilada sauce, whisking consistently to prevent lumps. Increase heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens noticeably. Remove from heat and fold in of shredded cheese until completely melted and integrated.
  3. Construct the first potato layer by carefully arranging half of the thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared dish. Evenly distribute half of the prepared sauce over the potato layer, allowing it to seep between the slices. Sprinkle half of the remaining cheese across the surface.
  4. Repeat the layering process with the remaining potato slices, pouring the remaining sauce to cover completely, and topping with the final cheese portion.
  5. Add a crunchy topping by generously sprinkling crushed tortilla chips across the entire surface, followed by a final layer of cheese for extra indulgence.
  6. Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Monitor the top’s browning and cover with aluminum foil if it becomes too dark before the potatoes reach fork-tender consistency.
  7. Once fully cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve immediately with a generous dollop of sour cream on the side.

Notes

  • Elevate your potato game with this Mexican-inspired casserole that transforms classic scalloped potatoes into a fiesta of flavors.
  • Slicing potatoes uniformly ensures even cooking and creates beautiful, picture-perfect layers in your dish.
  • Homemade sauce delivers richer taste compared to store-bought, allowing you to control spice and creaminess levels.
  • Crushed tortilla chips add unexpected crunch and authentic Mexican-style texture to the creamy potato base.
  • Melted cheese creates irresistible golden-brown strings that stretch with every serving, making this dish Instagram-worthy.
  • Green onion garnish provides fresh, zesty brightness that cuts through the rich, cheesy potatoes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking, Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 360 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 560mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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