Cooking Lesson #1188: Mild Chile Relleno Casserole

…from the Perspectives’ Test Kitchen

How you doin’? Chile relleno is a dish in Mexican cuisine that originated in the city of Puebla. In 1858, it was described as a "green chili pepper stuffed with minced meat and coated with eggs". The most common pepper used is Puebla's mild poblano pepper, though New Mexico chiles, Pasillas, or even jalapeño peppers are popular as well. It is typically stuffed with cheese, such as queso Chihuahua or queso Oaxaca or with picadillo meat made of diced pork, raisins and nuts, seasoned with canella; covered in an egg white batter, simply corn masa flour and fried.
 
I love chile rellenos, but who wants to go through all that falderal? No stuffing! No frying! I don’t want to do any of that! My Chile Relleno Casserole is easy to prepare and loaded with all the familiar flavors.
 
If you love chile rellenos from your local Mexican restaurant like me, try this shortcut baked casserole version. It's great for a flavorful weeknight dinner and good enough for company. Serve with warm corn tortillas.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  45 minutes
Yield:  6 servings / 1 8x8-inch casserole
 
Ingredients 
Non-stick spray
2 (7 ounce) cans whole poblano peppers, drained, split, and seeded (see ChefSecret below)
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (can also use Pepper Jack cheese)
8 ounces shredded mild Cheddar cheese
3 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk, or as needed
1 (8 ounce) can green enchilada sauce (I prefer Las Palmas)
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Preheat an oven to 350° F.
3. Spray an 8 X 8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
4. Evenly layer the poblano peppers from 1 can in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Sprinkle with half of the Jack and Cheddar cheeses, then cover with remaining poblano peppers.
6. Mix the eggs, evaporated milk and flour together in a bowl; if mixture is too thick, you can add 1/2 cup milk to thin it to the desired consistency.
7. Pour the mixture over chiles.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
9. Pour the green enchilada sauce evenly over the top and continue baking for 15 more minutes.
10. Turn the broiler on.
11. Sprinkle the top of the cooked mixture with the remaining Jack and Cheddar cheeses.
12. Place the casserole under the broiler until cheese is melted and starting to brown for 2 to 3 minutes.
13. Serve and enjoy!

-------------------------------------------
ChefSecret:  Canned poblano peppers can be found in Mexican markets, many grocery stores, and online. If you can’t find them, canned whole green chile peppers or fresh roasted poblano peppers work well; canned green jalapeños can also be used, but they are a lot spicier, so adjust to taste.
-------------------------------------------
Quip of the Day:  Q. Why is a baseball team similar to a muffin? A: They both rely on the batter.
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
We have hundreds of archived Covid Era recipes which you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Entrees #Dinner #ChileRellenos #ChileRellenoCasserole #PoblanoPeppers #CheddarCheese #MontereyJackCheese #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #ThreeSquare #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
                                                                               ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

---