Craving the comforting flavors of chile relleno but not the fuss of frying? This Easy Chile Relleno Casserole, inspired by the simplicity and heartiness often associated with Pioneer Woman recipes, is your answer. It delivers all the cheesy, pepper goodness you love, layered in a simple casserole that’s perfect for any meal, from a weekend brunch to a cozy weeknight dinner. Forget the individual stuffing and frying – this casserole is all about easy deliciousness.
What is Chile Relleno Casserole?
Chile Relleno, meaning “stuffed pepper” in Spanish, is a classic dish featuring poblano peppers traditionally filled with cheese, battered, and fried to golden perfection. While undeniably delicious, the traditional method can be time-consuming and involve a bit of kitchen labor. Chile Relleno Casserole takes all those wonderful flavors – the mild heat of poblano peppers, the melty cheese, and the savory egg – and transforms them into an effortlessly assembled and baked casserole. It’s a deconstructed, simplified approach that doesn’t compromise on taste. You get the essence of classic chile relleno without spending hours in the kitchen.
overhead chile relleno casserole in white baking dish
Why This Easy Casserole Recipe is a Game Changer
This recipe isn’t just about making chile relleno easier; it’s about making your life easier! Here’s why this casserole version is a game-changer:
- No Frying, Less Fuss: Say goodbye to the mess and extra calories of deep frying. Baking the casserole is healthier and significantly simplifies the cooking process.
- Weeknight Winner: Quick to assemble, this casserole is ideal for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying and flavorful meal without spending hours cooking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Chile Relleno Casserole is excellent for meal prepping. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when needed, or bake it and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Crowd-Pleasing Brunch or Potluck Dish: Whether you’re hosting brunch or heading to a potluck, this casserole is always a hit. It feeds a crowd easily and is guaranteed to be loved by everyone.
- Versatile for Any Meal: Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! Its savory flavors and hearty texture make it suitable for any time of day.
Simple Ingredients for Your Chile Relleno Casserole
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients you need to create such a flavorful and satisfying dish. Here’s what you’ll need for this easy chile relleno casserole recipe:
- Poblano Peppers: The star of the show! Poblano peppers offer mild heat and a wonderful flavor that’s characteristic of chile relleno. You’ll need 6-8 large peppers, depending on their size, to create two generous layers in your casserole dish.
- Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheese: A delicious duo of cheeses provides the gooey, cheesy goodness we all crave. Monterey Jack offers a mild, melty quality, while cheddar adds a bit more sharpness and flavor depth. Freshly shredded cheese is always recommended for the best melt and flavor.
- Eggs: Eggs are essential for creating the puffy, cloud-like topping and binding the casserole together. They add richness and protein to the dish.
- Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk contributes to the creamy texture of the egg mixture.
- All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of flour helps to give the casserole structure and prevents it from being too runny.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is the secret ingredient for achieving that light and fluffy egg topping.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole.
- Optional Toppings for Serving: Sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro are highly recommended for serving. They add coolness, freshness, and extra flavor dimensions that complement the casserole perfectly.
chili egg casserole in white dish with serving spatula
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Easy Chile Relleno Casserole
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious and easy chile relleno casserole:
- Roast the Poblano Peppers: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place poblano peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skins are blackened and charred.
- Steam and Peel Peppers: Transfer the roasted peppers to a plastic bag and let them steam for 10 minutes. This makes peeling easier. Once cooled, peel off the skins, remove the stems and seeds.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish.
- Layer the Casserole: Arrange half of the roasted poblano peppers in a single layer in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat layers once more.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour Egg Mixture and Bake: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese and pepper layers. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed up in the center, eggs are set, and the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm with sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro, if desired.
Tips for the Best Easy Chile Relleno Casserole
- Freshly Roasted Poblanos are Best (But Canned Work Too!): For the most authentic flavor, roast your own poblano peppers. However, if you’re short on time, you can substitute 3-4 cans (7 ounces each) of whole green chilies, drained and seeded.
- Don’t Skimp on the Cheese: Use good quality, freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor and melt.
- Make it Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You can also roast the peppers 1-2 days ahead of time.
- Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to experiment with other cheese combinations, such as pepper jack for extra spice or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Spice it Up: If you like a bit more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture or include some diced jalapeños with the poblano peppers.
overhead square portion of chile relleno casserole on plate with fork
Serving Suggestions for Your Casserole
This versatile casserole can be enjoyed in so many ways! Here are a few serving suggestions:
- Classic Toppings: Sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro are the go-to toppings for a reason – they perfectly complement the flavors of the casserole. Pico de gallo is another fantastic fresh salsa option.
- Side Dishes: Serve it alongside Spanish rice or a simple side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Breakfast or Brunch Spread: Add it to your breakfast or brunch table with other morning favorites like fruit salad, pastries, and coffee.
- Dinner Main Course: Pair it with a side of black beans or refried beans for a hearty and flavorful Mexican-inspired dinner.
square portion of chili relleno casserole on plate with fork
Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole ahead of time, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Roasted peppers can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Storing Leftovers: Let the casserole cool completely. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze individual portions or the entire casserole (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil) for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Enjoy this Easy Chile Relleno Casserole – it’s a simple yet incredibly delicious way to enjoy the flavors of classic chile relleno without all the work! Perfect for any meal and sure to become a family favorite.
(Recipe Card – Keep the recipe card information from the original article, but format it in markdown if needed. I will likely just refer to the original recipe card within the article.)
