It doesn’t get any easier or tastier than this Cheesy Chile Relleno Casserole recipe! Whole canned green chiles are layered with 3 kinds of cheese, then topped with an egg mixture. It’s your new favorite breakfast casserole! Or is it dinner? YES! Originally published January 9, 2021.
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I was checking out at the grocery store the other day, and the dude who was bagging my groceries had to get an extra cart to fit all my bags of food. My cart was piled so high I was actually balancing things so they didn’t fall. You tend to get odd glances when it looks like you’re stocking for the apocalypse.
But no, I was just doing our shopping for the week. I explained to the bagger that I have 4 children, and was going to be watching my best friend’s 5 children while she goes on a getaway with her husband. For 6 days.
The bagger, who is a young 20-something with long hair in his eyes, looked at me with a straight face and said, “Nine kids? So, like, what are you getting out of it?” I started to laugh, and his eyes popped out of his head as he screeched, “Are you just doing her a solid?!?!?”
It is so funny how much your worldview changes when you have children. When you have a lot of kids, you are the only one who knows just how much you want to get away from them. The only other people who can really understand this are people with other children. We have to watch out for each other!
So here we are. A total of 9 children ages 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and two 1 year old babies. And a partridge in a pear tree. It really hasn’t been too bad! The one-year-olds are the biggest challenge. I feel like I got a baptism-by-fire insight into what it would be like to have twins. This week has definitely rid me of any lingering romantic notions about having my own set. It’s a miracle they are still alive!
Highlight of the week was when one of the babies escaped from the bath and made it halfway across the house, stark naked and leaving a trail of water behind him, while a gleeful passel of squealing children danced around, egging him on. Someday when I’m an old granny, all the horror and angst will have disappeared from this memory, leaving behind only the laughs. Can’t wait for that. Still rocking the maniacal gleam in my eye just now.
We got by on super easy dinner recipes all week! Mostly I fed the animals cheese and carbs. Seemed to keep them at bay. This chile relleno casserole fit the bill! It’s Tex Mex heaven.
This Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe is Tex Mex heaven!
Have you ever had a chile relleno at a Mexican restaurant? It’s a roasted poblano chile, stuffed with cheese, dipped in an eggy batter, deep fried, and served with restaurant-style salsa. The flavors and textures are HEAVEN. Making them at home involves, you know, deep frying, which is just a lot more than I’m willing to get into on a random Tuesday night.
But throwing some eggs, cheese, and a can of pre-roasted green chiles into a 13×9? That I can do. The good news is that this casserole version is still amazingly delicious even when you hit the easy button.
Chile Rellenos Casserole ingredients
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- Whole green chiles (20 oz. can)
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey jack cheese
- Pepper jack cheese
- Eggs
- Evaporated milk
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Kosher salt
- Seasoning salt
- Restaurant style salsa, for serving (homemade or store bought)
How to make Chile Relleno Casserole
This is one of those stupid-easy recipes. Like, make it once, and the next time you can probably do it in your sleep.
- First you’re going to need some WHOLE green chiles. Not diced like you usually get. (I actually tested this recipe with diced chiles, just to see. Lately I’ve had a hard time finding certain products; whole chiles aren’t as common…Covid ripple effect. But this recipe is just NOT as good with the diced chiles. It doesn’t have the right texture. Hold out for the whole chiles! Or get them online!)
They should be in the same area at the store as the diced ones. They usually come in 4 ounce, 7 ounce, or 27 ounce cans. The recipe calls for about 20 ounces, so you will need five 4-ounce cans, three 7-ounce cans, or 1 of the big cans and you will have a very chile-y casserole (or you will have some leftover). - If it’s not already slit, open up each chile so that it will lie flat. Toss out the seeds if you find any.
- Layer half of the chiles on the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
- Cover with a heck ton of cheese! This is the the “filling” of our chile relleno. Chile relleno means “stuffed chile.” Filled with cheeeeeese. Yes please. I like to use a combination of Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Cheddar, but any shredded cheese combo you like will work fine! Pepper Jack will of course make it a bit spicier.
- Repeat the layers: add the remaining chiles and more cheese. Then in a bowl, mix together a few eggs, flour, baking powder (to make it so fluffy!) evaporated milk, and seasonings. (You can use cream or half and half instead of the evaporated milk if you like). Pour the eggs all over the top of your gorgeous casserole. And that’s IT.
- Bake it up and serve. It will be gone in a flash!
How to serve Chile Relleno Casserole
Breakfast or Dinner?
I’ve always thought of this as a breakfast dish because it’s almost identical to a traditional breakfast casserole (cheese and toppings layered in a pan, then seasoned eggs and milk poured on top.) But you can serve it for dinner or whenever you like! Chile relleno is definitely not a breakfast dish, but this casserole seems to bend that rule just fine.
Good news! If you are making this for breakfast, you can make it ahead and refrigerate overnight!
Breakfast side dishes ideas: Hashbrowns, sausage or bacon, fruit salad, orange juice!
Dinner side dishes: big green salad, cilantro lime rice, refried beans, chips and salsa.
Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe storage
This casserole is a great make-ahead meal. Just cook it, cool it, and store it in the fridge to grab a slice of whenever the mood strikes. I have definitely eaten this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (not all on the same day haha). You can also freeze the cooked casserole for up to 2 months and pull it out whenever you like. Just defrost it in the fridge overnight and it’s ready to heat.
Green Chile Casserole
So, the roasted poblano pepper skin definitely needs to be removed. It’s crispy, papery, and blackened, and at least MOST of it should be peeled off. In this casserole version of chiles rellenos, we’re just using canned roasted chiles, which are actually Anaheim chiles, not poblanos. Both are delicious by the way, and both are good whether you roast them yourself or buy them canned. If you are making traditional chiles rellenos, you’ll probably want to roast them yourself–and once they’re roasted, you can put them in a tightly sealed container for about 15 minutes to make the skins easier to peel.
Chiles Rellenos originated in Mexico, in the city of Puebla. Many varieties of chiles rellenos are eaten throughout Mexico today. Of course we also eat them in the United States, because they are freaking delicious.
Relleno is a Spanish word that translates to “filled” or “stuffed” in English. You’ll often hear it in the name of a dish called “chile relleno” in which a poblano chile (aka poblano pepper) is filled with cheese, then battered and fried.
Garnish your chile relleno casserole with:
- How to Make Authentic Pico de Gallo << So fresh! I love this stuff.
- 5 Minute Restaurant Style Salsa << this is made in the blender. Super easy!
More Mexican food!
- Aunt Shirley’s Creamy Chicken Enchiladas << soooo cheesy!!
- Chile Rellenos from House of Yumm
- Cowboy Pinto Bean Soup << this recipe features green chiles too! Such great flavor.
- Easy Baked Mexican Meatballs << These are really good in tacos!
- Chicken Taquitos << Homemade, of course, is always better.
Egg Casseroles you will love
- Cheesy Overnight Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole << if you are going to make one breakfast casserole, make this one.
- Feta Cheese Egg Casserole from Diethood
- Bacon, Potato, and Egg Casserole from Two Peas and Their Pod
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Chile Relleno Casserole
Ingredients
- nonstick spray
- 20 ounces whole green chiles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese, divided
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup evaporated milk*
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, such as Lawry’s
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Restaurant style salsa, for serving, homemade or store bought is fine!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray.
- Open up the cans of whole chiles and drain completely. If they are not already open, slit one side of each chile with a knife and remove all the seeds from the center.
- Layer the chiles in the pan, covering the bottom. Use half the chiles, about 10 ounces.
- Top the chiles with 1/2 cup each of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, and Pepper Jack cheese.
- Repeat. Layer the remaining chiles on top of the cheese, top with 1/2 cup each of the cheeses.
- Meanwhile in a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together 8 eggs, 1 cup evaporated milk*, 2/3 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cheese and chiles.**
- Bake at 350 for about 35-45 minutes. You will know it’s done when the top is puffy, the edges are golden, and the center doesn’t wobble more than the edges when you shake the pan.
- Let set for about 5 minutes and then serve! I love to serve this with Restaurant Style Salsa passed at the table, in case people want a little more heat. A store bought salsa will do, too!
I made this for a gender reveal last Sunday and boy was it a hit! I cook a lot (we have a big extended family), and I wanted something easy to take to my sister’s reveal. I bought a huge can of the green chilis, shredded a bunch of the cheeses listed here in my food processor and put this together. It was SO good! If you want more heat I suggest you make an easy salsa to go on the side and people can add it as needed. It was delicious on its own though. I made an avocado salsa for the side. Make this, you will not regret it!
Thank you for bringing up the salsa Miriam! I changed the recipe to make sure it’s in the notes. It really is great served with salsa! I’m so glad you like the recipe, thank you for taking the time to review. you’re a gem!
Made this for my husband who’s recovering from dental surgery and still needs soft food. We both loved it and are going to try the freezing hints in other comments.
If you are looking for a casserole that resembles a Chile Relleno, this is not it. It neither tastes nor has the consistency of Chile relleno. I would name this a green Chile quiche. Even at that it is pretty bland.
As I read the recipe, I had 2 thoughts. The first is where is the cumin, chili powder, Sriracha and garlic? Adding a couple of teaspoons of these to the egg mixture would liven it up. The other thought was its similarity to the Green Chili and Chicken Enchilada casserole recipe on the Las Palmas green chili sauce can, which my family loves. Once again, we add the aforesaid spices along with a small finely chopped onion to the sauce. Really easy and tasty.
This is the first that I have ever left a review. I only gave it a 5, because there’s no 10. I couldn’t find plain jack cheese, so I split the cheddar and pepper jack. Served it to 12 women and everyone ask for the recipe. I’m glad that I just noticed you can “pre prep” it. My best friend ask for it for her birthday lunch tomorrow, so I’m gonna prep tonight. MAKE THIS!
No lie Nora, the first time I was served a casserole like this (at a morning baby shower) I asked for the recipe and then made it for dinner that night. So I get where your bff is coming from 😂 so glad it was a hit, thank you so much for coming back to leave 10 stars! 😉
I have never had this recipe prepared as a casserole. I’m old school Hispanic make everything from scratch which is fast for me cuz I’ve cooked this way since I was 8, and large quantity.Mexican families in the 50s tend to have had lots of kids. Very traditional. That’s how Grandma & my Mother taught me. I had to learn to cook for two. I was very leery about this recipe BUT it is amazing! The taste is excellent, texture is right on. My Husband wiped it out, I don’t really like eggs but this is delicious. I was so blown away on this Easy recipe I had to share with my 6 sisters and 2 sister in laws. I NEVER change a recipe that I try because why try it if your going to change it? But I had to have the rellno sauce we’ve always had on our Chiles. It is served on top made with tomato’s of your choice fry in a sauce pan to break up using whatever type of oil or butter or ghee. But I prefer Lard. Yep that taboo word LARD. Add sliced onions, garlic, a little oregano, cumin, simmer. Add water or chicken stock you want a little thin consistency. Serve the Relleno , top with sauce. Sorry to invade your amazing recipe & it drives me crazy when home chefs do this the first time they make a recipe. But I couldn’t eat this without the traditional sauce. Call me an old cook. Great Recipe it not only taste traditional but saves time and not messy. It’s a keeper in my house. Thank you Chef.
Patricia I love all your tips and notes!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe as is! I’m dying to try this with your relleno sauce with LARD (I’m a believer. I make pie crusts with lard, it’s delish. Also, I have to represent because my hometown is Manteca, CA. Not kidding, look it up 😂) anyway, thank you so much for sharing your fun recipe for the sauce I’m definitely going to give it a try, this casserole loves a little sauce, I usually top with salsa when serving. But love the idea of a cooked sauce! Yum. Thanks so much!
Ive tried them all and this was the best. I did use 1/2 & 1/2, next time Ill try condensed milk. May have a richer taste
made it for the first time last week everybody loved it.
This recipe turned out AMAZING. My husband loved it.
I did however, make changes (halved recipe) & instead of canned whole chili, I used 4 roasted & peeled fresh Pasilla peppers, changed your seasoning salt (salt free) replaced with garlic & onion powder plus dried herbal seasoning mix.
Thank you.
I’m so glad you tried this out Darlene! I would love to try this with homemade roasted chiles sometime. I bet it was so good. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Since it’s just the two of us can this recipe be frozen or can the recipe be made in half? It looks delicious & can’t wait to make it! :)
Hi Donna! yes you can totally halve the recipe and bake in a 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan. And baked eggs freeze very well! Either option will work great. Enjoy!
I am super excited about this. Paul and I are doing a more ketogenic way of eating. Im going to try and sub the flour with almond flour. I cannot wait to eat this and I dont even like eggs that much!
I think almond flour will work Misty! Tell me how it goes!!
Misty – I want to make this recipe but also trying to eat Keto. Did the almond flour work for you?
It is in the oven right now. I will let you know. I also subbed the evap milk with cream. So I will update soon!
It came out perfect and is super good! I love how fast and easy this is.
YAY! Keto lovers unite!! I’ll update the notes!
I’ve made this before and it’s delicious. The last five minutes of baking I pull it out and spread tomato paste or ranchera sauce on the top and finish baking. This is super simple and tastes great
That sounds delicious Christina! Love that idea. Thanks for sharing!
Karen, how spicy is this recipe. It looks really good but I have acid reflux and don’t know whether I can tolerate it.
Do love all your recipes, have made many of them
Joan
Hi Joan! So happy you are loving the recipes, thank you for telling me that! Are you able to tolerate green chilies in other dishes? If you can have green chiles then I think you will be okay. And maybe just have a small portion to start, to see how it goes. This recipe is easy to halve, I would do that and make it in an 8×8 or 9×9 pan. and you could always experiment with reducing the amount of chiles you put in the recipe total, maybe try like 14-16 ounces instead of 20? Just some ideas! Hope it goes well!
This looks great and easy to assemble. Have you every added shredded chicken?
Hi Morgan! I never have! I bet it would be delicious. My only concern is that it would be a bit heavier than the dish is intended to be…but it will still be yummy.
Hey Karen – YES! This is an awesome recipe! We love chile rellenos but…making the “real” ones is a pain! This casserole is so close and tastes SO good – I really don’t bother with the real ones! And – I usually double the recipe and make it in a 9×13 pan. Then, after we’ve eaten, I refrigerate overnight. The next day – I cut into rectangles, wrap each in Seal & Stick, then freeze them in a big freezer bag. I can pull one or two out and reheat in the microwave – perfect for a quick dinner. We love them as burritos with refried beans and mexican rice plus the usual toppings! Too good! Thanks for this recipe! :)
True confession Mary, I’ve never made real chile rellenos! I did a bit of reading about it and now I want to try it sometime. It definitely sounds like a labor of love!! Thanks for sharing all your tips for this casserole, you are awesome!