Pinto Bean Enfrijoladas

A hearty Mexican dish featuring corn tortillas filled with queso ranchero and smothered in a flavorful pinto bean sauce. The tortillas are softened and folded around cheese, then baked until bubbling in a rich sauce made from mashed pinto beans seasoned with cumin, oregano, and serrano chile.

6 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped onions
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 cans pinto beans
  • cups whole milk
  • cups water
  • 1 teaspoon serrano chile
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • 12 pieces corn tortillas
  • cups queso ranchero
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • ½ cup sour cream

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are golden, about 8 minutes. Add beans, 1 1/2 cups milk, and 1 1/2 cups water; simmer until onions are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Mash beans coarsely in skillet. Mix in chile and all spices; season with salt and pepper. Add more milk or water by 1/4 cupfuls to thin bean mixture to slightly soupy consistency.

    20 min

  2. 2.

    Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tortilla at a time; cook until tortilla softens, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer tortilla to work surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon cheese in center of each tortilla; fold in half. Place in prepared dish, overlapping tortillas slightly. Top with bean sauce.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Bake until enfrijoladas are heated through and sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining queso ranchero and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.

    20 min