Excellent choice! A Chile Relleno Casserole is the ultimate comfort food hack. It captures all the glorious flavors of traditional chiles rellenos—roasty peppers, melted cheese, and a fluffy egg batter—but in a simple, layered, bake-and-serve format. No tedious frying or stuffing required.
It’s perfect for a crowd, for a make-ahead brunch, or just an easy, satisfying weeknight dinner.
The Easiest Chile Relleno Casserole
This recipe is forgiving, customizable, and delivers that classic flavor with a fraction of the effort.
Ingredients:
· 2 cans (7 oz. each) whole green chiles (like Ortega or Hatch), mild or hot
· 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheese, divided (see note below)
· 4 large eggs
· 1 cup whole milk
· 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
· 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
· Optional: 1/2 lb cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or chorizo (drained)
· Optional for topping: Sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, chopped cilantro
Cheese Note: A blend is best! Use a combination like:
· 1 cup Monterey Jack (for meltiness)
· 1 cup Sharp Cheddar (for flavor)
· Or use a pre-shredded Mexican-style blend.
Instructions:
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish (or a similar-sized pie dish or cast-iron skillet).
- Layer the Chiles and Cheese: Open the cans of chiles and gently rinse them to remove any extra seeds. Carefully slit them open and lay them flat. Layer 1: Arrange half of the chiles in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish, covering it as much as possible. Layer 2: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese (1 cup) evenly over the chiles. If you’re using cooked meat, sprinkle it over this cheese layer. Layer 3: Arrange the remaining chiles in a final layer on top.
- Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk vigorously until the batter is mostly smooth and well-combined. (A few tiny lumps are okay).
- Assemble: Slowly and evenly pour the batter over the layered chiles and cheese. It will look like it’s pooling, but it will puff up as it bakes.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the center is fully set (doesn’t jiggle when you shake the pan) and the top is a beautiful, deep golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut clean squares. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
Pro-Tips & Variations:
· Use Fresh Roasted Chiles: For a next-level flavor, use 6-8 fresh roasted, peeled, and deseeded Poblano peppers instead of canned. This is the traditional method and tastes incredible.
· Spice it Up: Add a 4 oz can of diced green chiles (undrained) to the batter for an extra kick and more chile flavor throughout.
· Make it “Souffléd”: For an even lighter, puffier texture, separate the eggs. Whisk the yolks with the milk and other wet ingredients. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form, then gently fold them into the batter at the end.
· Add Corn: A cup of frozen corn (thawed) sprinkled between the layers adds a nice sweetness and texture.
· Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole (through step 4), cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before adding the final cheese and baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
How to Serve:
· Breakfast/Brunch: A star dish alongside fresh fruit and coffee.
· Dinner: Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, and a simple green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.
This casserole is the definition of easy, cheesy, and delicious. Enjoy