Slow Cooker Lazy Enchiladas

Aug 30, 2022Updated Feb 14, 2025

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These Slow Cooker Lazy Enchiladas are made with just three primary ingredients: frozen taquitos, enchilada sauce, and shredded cheese. If you’re looking for an incredibly easy meal the whole family will enjoy, it doesn’t get much easier and better than this!

Can enchiladas be made out of frozen taquitos?

The word enchilada itself means a rolled tortilla with a filling typically of meat and served with a chili sauce. You’re already a step ahead on the enchilada aspect by using frozen taquitos. So, yes. Taquito enchiladas are totally a thing and this lazy enchiladas recipe makes for an easy dinner that can feed a few or a lot.

Want to try another recipe with the yummy enchilada sauce flavors? Have a go at making Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Chili (made with stew meat), enchilada meatballs (a great party recipe), or these flavorful enchilada rancheras.

What you need:

ingredients for lazy enchiladas on table.

Frozen Taquitos: I used frozen beef taquitos for this recipe.
Red Enchilada Sauce: A canned enchilada sauce that is a combination of tomato sauce and chili powder. If you’d like a little spice, consider using hot enchilada sauce.
Shredded Cheese: I used a fiesta blend that includes all the classic Tex-Mex cheeses (medium cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese).
Toppings for Garnish: Olives and cilantro add the perfect touch of garnish flavor.

How to make taquito enchiladas:

enchilada sauce over frozen taquitos in a slow cooker.

Step One – Place frozen taquitos into a slow cooker that has been prepared with cooking spray.

Step Two – Top them with the enchilada sauce—cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or HIGH for 2.5 hours.

Step Three – Sprinkle the with shredded cheese. Re-cover and allow the cheese to melt.

Step Four – Garnish the finished taquitos with chopped cilantro and black olives.

lazy enchiladas in slow cooker with olives.

Variations

Change the Taquito Type: Although I used beef taquitos for this recipe, you can use another type. There are beef and cheese, and chicken, with cheese or without.

Different Cheese Topping: You can’t go wrong with using a fiesta blend; however, you can also use a Mexican blend, Pepper Jack, or Monterey Jack.

Serve with a Variety of Toppings: Sour cream, chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and sliced avocado make for some great topping choices.

Foods to Serve on the Side: A dollop of guacamole, a nice helping of Mexican rice, black beans, and refried beans compliment this casserole dish wonderfully.

Recipe FAQs

Should I use the red enchilada sauce if I use chicken taquitos?

You can use red sauce. However, green enchilada sauce typically compliments chicken better.

How do I store leftovers?

Add any remaining leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven in a baking dish.

More Enchilada Style recipes

A unique dish that is great for pasta night is my easy chicken enchilada pasta!
An easy from scratch dinner to make is Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas!
Crockpot pulled pork turned in to cheesy Pork Verde Enchiladas, is a wonderful homestyle meal.
This recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole uses beef stew meat and other from scratch ingredients!