Zesty Homestyle Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe For Dinner Joy

Nestled in the heart of mexican cuisine, a chile relleno casserole promises a delightful culinary adventure that will spark your taste buds.

Layers of roasted peppers, melted cheese, and rich eggs create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Comfort meets tradition in this simple yet satisfying dish that brings warmth to any dining table.

Poblano peppers provide a gentle heat while the creamy cheese softens each bite.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its straightforward preparation and crowd-pleasing results.

Cheese lovers and spice enthusiasts will find themselves completely captivated by its robust character.

Chile Relleno Casserole That’s Comfort Food Perfected

• Spice Up Family Dinners: Transform traditional chile rellenos into a crowd-pleasing casserole that brings everyone together with bold, comforting flavors.
• Master Simplified Mexican Cuisine: Skip complex individual stuffing techniques and enjoy a streamlined recipe that delivers authentic taste without intensive preparation.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for shredded chicken or make vegetarian by using black beans, allowing flexible meal options for different dietary preferences.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-dish recipe that combines protein, vegetables, and cheese in a deliciously satisfying meal perfect for busy households.

Ingredients for Hearty Chile Relleno Casserole

• Poblano Peppers: Large, mild green peppers that provide a rich, slightly smoky flavor to the casserole.

• Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: A flavorful combination that creates a hearty and savory filling for the peppers.

• Eggs, Milk: These ingredients help bind the casserole together and create a creamy texture.
• Cumin, Chili Powder: Warm spices that add depth and traditional Mexican-inspired flavor to the dish.

• Shredded Cheese: Provides a melty, golden-brown crust that adds richness and extra flavor to the casserole.

How to Make Chile Relleno Casserole With Ease

Step 1: Prep The Poblano Peppers

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F. Place poblano peppers directly under the broiler, letting them get all charred and blistered for about 10 minutes.

Once they’re beautifully blackened, carefully remove and cover them in a bowl to steam – this helps slip off their skins like magic.

Step 2: Create Savory Beef Filling

Heat up a skillet and start browning your ground beef.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sizzle everything together for roughly 5 minutes until the meat looks perfectly golden and crumbly.

Step 3: Spice Up The Meat

• Cumin
• Chili powder

Let these flavors dance and simmer for another 2 minutes, creating an irresistible aroma that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Step 4: Prepare Stuffed Peppers

Gently peel the roasted peppers, removing seeds with care. Stuff each pepper generously with the delicious beef mixture, creating little pockets of deliciousness.

Step 5: Create Creamy Egg Mixture

Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Assemble And Bake

Pour the egg mixture over your stuffed peppers in a baking dish.

Sprinkle a mountain of shredded cheese on top. Slide into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until it’s bubbling with cheesy goodness and looking absolutely irresistible.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Chile Relleno Casserole

• Roast poblano peppers carefully to avoid burning, turning them occasionally for even blistering and easy skin removal.
• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier casserole version of traditional chile rellenos.
• Drain cooked beef thoroughly to prevent a watery dish and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor in each bite.
• For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with black beans, quinoa, or plant-based protein crumbles to maintain the dish's hearty texture.
• Try different cheese blends like pepper jack or monterey jack for added complexity and a spicier kick to the classic recipe.

Creative Twists on Chile Relleno Casserole to Try

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with black beans, quinoa, or plant-based crumbles for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Low-Carb Mexican Casserole: Substitute poblano peppers with zucchini boats or bell peppers, using cauliflower rice instead of traditional ingredients to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese shreds, and swap milk with unsweetened almond or coconut milk for those with lactose sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and smoked paprika to intensify the heat and create a more complex flavor profile for spice enthusiasts.

Pairings That Complement Chile Relleno Casserole Beautifully

• Zesty lime and tequila margaritas perfectly complement the rich, spicy chile relleno casserole, cutting through the cheesy texture and enhancing the pepper's heat.
• Crisp, light Mexican beers like Modelo or Dos Equis provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty, warmly spiced casserole, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Sweet, milky horchata softens the dish's spiciness, creating a smooth counterpoint to the robust beef and roasted poblano peppers.

Best Storage Tips for Chile Relleno Casserole

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chile relleno casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Separate portions for easier thawing and reheating.
• Microwave Reheat: Place individual servings on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Stir halfway to ensure even heating.
• Oven Reheat: Warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes for a crispy cheese top.

FAQs

• Are poblano peppers spicy?

Poblano peppers are mild to medium in heat, typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 Scoville units. They provide a gentle warmth without overwhelming spiciness.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Ground turkey or chicken work perfectly as alternative protein options. They offer similar texture and absorb spices well while keeping the dish lighter.

• How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is ready when the eggs are set, cheese is melted and golden, and the edges look bubbly. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.

• Is this dish gluten-free?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your spices and cheese are certified gluten-free if you have sensitivity, as some brands might contain additives.

Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty chile relleno casserole brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables, layering roasted peppers, cheese, and eggs in a rustic baking dish. Home cooks can easily assemble this satisfying meal that delivers bold southwestern flavors in one simple preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 fresh poblano peppers
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and Monterey Jack)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk (120 ml)
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to 350°F and position the rack in the middle position. Position poblano peppers directly under broiler, rotating occasionally until skin becomes charred and blistered, approximately 10 minutes.
2. Transfer roasted peppers to a sealed container, allowing them to steam and facilitate skin removal.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing ground beef, diced onions, and crushed garlic. Sauté until meat browns and onions turn translucent, roughly 5-7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle cumin and chili powder into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Carefully peel blistered skin from peppers, slice open, and meticulously remove seeds and membranes.
6. Generously fill each pepper with seasoned beef mixture, arranging them strategically in a prepared baking dish.
7. Whisk eggs and milk together until completely integrated and slightly frothy.
8. Cascade egg mixture over stuffed peppers, ensuring uniform coverage.
9. Lavishly distribute shredded cheese across the surface, creating a complete protective layer.
10. Transfer casserole to preheated oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.

Notes

• Roast peppers carefully to avoid burning, rotating them every few minutes for even charring and easy skin removal.
• For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or use black beans as a vegetarian protein alternative.
• When whisking eggs and milk, add a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole.
• Prep peppers ahead of time by roasting and peeling them the day before to streamline the cooking process and save time during meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg