There’s something magical about the humble corn tortilla, isn’t there? It’s like that versatile friend who’s always up for anything—whether it’s holding together a sizzling taco or soaking up the rich flavors of a saucy enchilada. I remember this one time, I tried to make them from scratch and ended up with a kitchen disaster—but hey, the store-bought ones saved dinner! So, let’s explore some easy corn tortilla dinner recipes that are sure to become family favorites.
Steps
- Easy Chicken Tacos: Cook chicken until it’s tender, then shred it. Prepare homemade salsa and guacamole, and gather some cheese. Assemble the tacos by layering chicken, guacamole, cheese, and salsa on corn tortillas.
- Spicy Beef Taquitos: Cook ground beef with chipotle seasoning until browned. Fill corn tortillas with the beef mixture, roll them tightly, and either bake or fry until crispy. Customize the filling with beans and cheese for a vegetarian option if desired.
- Enchiladas Suizas: Prepare both red and green enchilada sauces. Fill corn tortillas with your choice of filling, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish. Pour the sauce over the enchiladas and bake until heated through.
- Baked Tostada Shells: Brush corn tortillas with oil on both sides. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy. Use these shells as a base for a variety of toppings.
- Bean Tostadas with Avocado, Queso Fresco, and Salsa: Spread refried beans over baked tostada shells. Top with slices of avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and a homemade salsa. Customize with any additional toppings you desire.
- Black Bean and Guacamole Tostadas: Heat oil in a skillet and cook corn tortillas until they are slightly crispy. Top with black beans, guacamole, and your favorite toppings. Serve once the tortillas have developed brown spots.
- Enfrijoladas: Dip corn tortillas in a bean puree, then fill with cheese and onions. Arrange them in a baking dish and bake for a few minutes. Feel free to experiment with different fillings for added variety.
- Vegetarian Tortilla Soup: Slice and shallow fry corn tortillas to make crispy strips. Use these strips as a topping for a vegetarian or chicken tortilla soup. The strips add a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Easy Taco Salad: Create crispy tortilla strips by frying or crumbling tostadas. Add them to a salad with ground beef or a vegetarian filling. The crunchy strips enhance the texture and flavor of the salad.
- Quick Poblano Soup with Mini Pico Quesadillas: Fold tortillas in half with cheese and other fillings, then cook until crispy. Serve these mini quesadillas with a bowl of poblano soup. They make for a perfect accompaniment to the soup.
- Entomatadas: Dip corn tortillas in roasted tomato sauce. Fill them with your desired ingredients and roll up. The rich tomato sauce adds a robust flavor to this simple dish.
- Baked Tortilla Chips: Cut corn tortillas into wedges and bake until crisp. Use older, thinner tortillas for the best results. These chips are perfect for dipping in salsa or guacamole.
- Migas: Fry corn tortilla strips until crispy, then combine with scrambled eggs and salsa verde. This dish makes for a hearty breakfast or brunch option.
- Chilaquiles with Tomatillo-Chipotle Salsa: Fry or bake tortilla strips, then coat with salsa just before serving to prevent sogginess. Serve for breakfast or dinner with your preferred toppings.
Ingredients
- Easy Chicken Tacos:
- Chicken
- Guacamole
- Cheese
- Homemade salsa
- Spicy Beef Taquitos:
- Corn tortillas
- Ground beef (with chipotle infusion)
- (Vegetarian option: beans and cheese)
- Enchiladas Suizas:
- Corn tortillas
- Red sauce
- Green sauce
- Baked Tostada Shells:
- Corn tortillas
- Oil
- Bean Tostadas with Avocado, Queso Fresco, and Homemade Salsa:
- Corn tortillas
- Beans
- Avocado
- Queso fresco
- Homemade salsa
- Black Bean and Guacamole Tostadas:
- Corn tortillas
- Black beans
- Guacamole
- Oil or lard/bacon drippings
- Enfrijoladas:
- Corn tortillas
- Bean puree
- Cheese
- Onion
- Vegetarian Tortilla Soup:
- Corn tortillas
- Easy Taco Salad:
- Corn tortillas
- Ground beef (or vegetarian option)
- Quick Poblano Soup with Mini Pico Quesadillas:
- – Corn tortillas
- – Beans
- – Cheese
- – Pickled jalapenos
- Entomatadas:
- – Corn tortillas
- – Roasted tomato sauce
- Baked Tortilla Chips:
- – Corn tortillas
- Migas:
- – Corn tortillas
- – Eggs
- – Salsa verde
- Chilaquiles with Tomatillo-Chipotle Salsa:
- – Corn tortillas
- – Tomatillo-chipotle salsa
FAQ
- Can I bake taquitos instead of frying them?
- Yes, taquitos can be baked instead of fried. Baking them is a healthier option, and they remain delicious. You can fill them with various ingredients such as chipotle-infused ground beef or a vegetarian bean-and-cheese mix.
- What are some creative fillings for Enfrijoladas?
- Enfrijoladas are quite versatile, and you can fill them with cheese, onions, or any ingredients you prefer. Feel free to experiment with different fillings to suit your taste.
- How can I make crispy tortilla strips for soups or salads?
- To make crispy tortilla strips, simply chop up your tortillas and give them a quick shallow fry. These strips are perfect for adding a delightful crunch to soups like Chicken or Vegetarian Tortilla Soup, as well as Taco Salads.
- What is the best way to make homemade tortilla chips?
- Making homemade tortilla chips is easy. Use thinner tortillas, especially if they are a bit older with less moisture. Bake them until crispy for a delicious snack.
- How can I prevent Chilaquiles from becoming soggy?
- To prevent Chilaquiles from getting soggy, coat the baked or fried tortilla strips or chips with salsa at the last minute before serving. This keeps them crisp and delicious.
Tips
- When making baked tostada shells, lightly coat both sides of the tortillas with oil and bake them at 400°F for 4-5 minutes on each side. This method allows you to achieve a crispy shell without frying.
- To avoid soggy Chilaquiles, add the salsa to the tortilla strips at the very last minute before serving. This keeps the dish crispy and fresh.
- Use older, thinner tortillas for making baked tortilla chips. They tend to have less moisture, resulting in a better texture for your homemade chips.
- For a quick and flavorful twist on Tostadas, fry tortillas in a thin layer of oil until they develop brown spots. This technique enhances the flavor with a delicious fried corn taste.
Equipment
- Tortilla Press – Useful for making homemade corn tortillas.
- Cast Iron Skillet – Ideal for frying or baking tortillas to make tostadas, taquitos, or tortilla chips.
- Food Processor – Handy for making homemade salsas and guacamole.
- Immersion Blender – Useful for making bean purees for enfrijoladas or entomatadas.
- Baking Sheet – Needed for baking tostadas or tortilla chips.
- Deep Fryer or Frying Thermometer – If you choose to fry tortillas for crispy strips or chips.
- Oven-safe Casserole Dish – Essential for baking enchiladas or enfrijoladas.
- Mandoline Slicer – Helpful for achieving uniform slices of vegetables for toppings or fillings.
