10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Enchilada Sauce

Wondering what to do with enchilada sauce? Learn the 10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Enchilada Sauce and repurpose it so it doesn’t go to waste! From soup to quesadillas to lasagna, you’ll love bringing new life to this classic Mexican sauce!

Enchilada sauce, a key element of Mexican cuisine, is a savory, rich, and slightly spicy sauce used primarily in making enchiladas, a dish of rolled tortillas filled with meat, cheese, or beans.

I love cooking a batch of Homemade Enchilada Sauce in my kitchen, but sometimes I have too much leftover. Luckily, the uses for enchilada sauce are plenty from, pasta, chili, and even stuffed peppers. Check out these recipes for ways to use enchilada sauce you never thought of.

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📖How To Store Enchilada Sauce

There are so many ways to use enchilada sauce! Whether it’s red or green, making sure your enchilada sauce is stored properly is key to making sure it lasts long enough to be used in other recipes.

1️⃣Allow the enchilada sauce to cool to room temperature before storing.

2️⃣Transfer the cooled enchilada sauce to an airtight container or jar with a sealed lid. Refrigerated enchilada sauce can last up to a week, while frozen sauce can be used within 2-3 months for optimal flavor.

3️⃣When you’re ready to use the sauce, if refrigerated, reheat it on the stove over low heat until it’s warm.

4️⃣Freezing for Longer Shelf Life: If you want to store the sauce for a longer period and cant use up enchilada sauce in time, freeze it. Pour the sauce into airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of containers or bags because the sauce will expand as it freezes.

🍴10 Best Ways To Use Leftover Enchilada Sauce

1️⃣Enchilada Soup: In a large pot, combine the enchilada sauce with chicken broth, cooked chicken, black beans, and corn. Simmer for 20 minutes, then serve with toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and tortilla strips.

2️⃣Chiles Rellenos: Use the enchilada sauce as a base for chiles rellenos. Roast and peel poblano peppers, stuff them with cheese or a meat filling, then simmer in the enchilada sauce before serving.

3️⃣Huevos Rancheros: Create a rich base for huevos rancheros with the leftover enchilada sauce. Warm the sauce, then cook eggs to your preference on top, serve on a tortilla with refried beans, and top with cheese.

4️⃣Mexican Pizza: Use the enchilada sauce as a pizza base on a tortilla or pizza dough. Add your favorite toppings such as cheese, bell peppers, onions, and shredded chicken, then bake until crispy.

5️⃣Enchilada Lasagna: Layer the enchilada sauce with tortillas, cheese, and your choice of fillings in a baking dish. Bake until bubbling and golden for a fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisine.

6️⃣Chili Con Carne: Use the enchilada sauce in place of tomato sauce for a flavorful chili. Combine with ground beef, beans, and your favorite chili spices, then simmer until well combined.

7️⃣Enchilada-Stuffed Peppers: Roast bell peppers and fill with a mixture of rice, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese and bake until the peppers are tender, and the cheese is bubbly.

8️⃣Enchilada Skillet Pasta: Sauté onions and garlic, add pasta, cooked ground beef, and enchilada sauce, then cook until the pasta is tender. Sprinkle with cheese and let it melt for a one-pan dinner.

9️⃣Mexican Shakshuka: Heat the enchilada sauce with bell peppers and onions, then crack eggs into the sauce and simmer until set. Serve with crusty bread for a Mexican twist on a traditional Middle Eastern dish.

🔟Enchilada Quesadillas: Spread enchilada sauce on a tortilla, add cheese and your preferred fillings, then top with another tortilla and cook until crispy. Serve with sour cream or guacamole for a new spin on a classic quesadilla.

❔FAQ

What to do with leftover green enchilada sauce?

Green enchilada sauce can be used the exact same way that red can. The only difference is that green enchilada sauce has more of an earthy flavor with less acidity which could pair well with a variety of different dishes.

How do you make enchilada sauce less watery?

To thicken a watery enchilada sauce, you can simmer it on low heat until some of the liquid evaporates. Alternatively, make a slurry with a teaspoon of cornstarch or flour mixed with a little cold water, then whisk this into the sauce and cook until it thickens.

Can you freeze leftover canned enchilada sauce?

Yes, you can freeze leftover canned enchilada sauce. Just ensure it’s stored in airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving room for expansion as it freezes.

How do you tone down canned enchilada sauce?

To tone down canned enchilada sauce, you can add a dairy product like sour cream, cream cheese, or yogurt, which will counteract the spice. You could also add more tomato sauce or broth to dilute the spiciness, but remember this may make the sauce thinner.