49 Make-Ahead Mexican Recipes

49 Make-Ahead Mexican Recipes

Read Time: 23 mins

49 Make-Ahead Mexican Recipes1/49 Black Bean Turkey Enchiladas 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 50 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My best friend and I created this recipe together because we wanted a meal that’s easy to prepare, affordable and nutritious. We both have hectic schedules, so when we’re feeling crunched for time, it’s a relief to have these wholesome enchiladas waiting for us in the freezer. —Holly Baber, Seattle, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 enchilada: 343 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch

protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch. 2/49 Texas-Style Lasagna 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland For Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s wonderful with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 349 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1041mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. 3/49 Mexican Pork & Pinto Beans 3 Reviews Test Kitchen

Nothing tastes better than chili-spiced pork with tortillas

Approved Mexican Pork & Pinto Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 30 min Servings 16 servings (4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We’ve lived in Arizona for decades, so Mexican-style cooking has become the same as “Arizona-style cooking” for us. Nothing tastes better than chili-spiced pork with tortillas. —Anne Fatout, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without tortillas): 211 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 181mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 4/49 Spicy Bean and Beef

This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish

Pie 33 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Bean and Beef Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughter helped me come up with this recipe when we wanted a one-dish meal that was different than a casserole. This pie slices nicely and is a fun and filling dish. —Debra Dohy, Massillon, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 931 calories, 56g fat (32g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 1876mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 32g protein. 5/49 Avocado Salsa 26 Reviews Contest Winner Test

Kitchen Approved Avocado

Kitchen Approved Avocado Salsa Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 7 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was planning a party and thought it might be fun to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 82 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat. 6/49 Hacienda

Hash Browns Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I use a clear glass dish to show off my hash brown bake. The bold pepper, cilantro, cumin and garlic make this potato-egg casserole extraordinary. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 341 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 180mg cholesterol, 596mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 7/49 Favorite Jalapeno Corn Muffins 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Favorite Jalapeno Corn Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35

min Servings 8 muffins Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

min Servings 8 muffins Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Honey butter tastes so yummy spread over these hot and snappy jalapeno cornbread muffins. They’re delicious with soups, stews and chili. —Mary Thomas, Hugo, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 muffin: 175 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 8/49 Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup 20 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 25 min Servings 8 servings (3-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This soup delivers a big

bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband

bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups (calculated without optional toppings): 125 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1102mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. 9/49 Tangy Turkey Tostadas 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a health fitness specialist and personal trainer, so I know how important it is to make smart food choices to fuel my day. These fast and filling

tostadas are packed with lean protein, fiber and a good dose of veggies

tostadas are packed with lean protein, fiber and a good dose of veggies. Have them any night of the week. —Julie Huntington, Memphis, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 2 tostadas: 356 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 739mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. 10/49 German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely

chocolate and coconut

chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 416 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein. 11/49 Taco Stuffed Shells 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat. It’s a great

family supper for busy weeknights!

family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed shells: 384 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 665mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 12/49 Buenos Dias Breakfast Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love the way the tortilla strips puff up when this is baked. It is a terrific no-fuss recipe that everyone in my family enjoys, even the meat lovers. —Barbara Burge, Los Gatos, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 321 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated

fat), 104mg cholesterol, 729mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein. 13/49 Chipotle Beef Chili 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 6 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings (about 3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love spicy food, so I think this chili really hits the spot. If you are sensitive to chile peppers, start out with one or two chipotles and go up from there. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 230 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 668mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable

protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable. 14/49 Spicy Shredded Chicken 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love Mexican food, but not the high calorie count that often comes with it. This easy dish is healthy, delicious and a definite crowd pleaser! I like to serve the chicken with warm tortillas, rice, beans and salsa. For an equally awesome dish, you can substitute beef or pork for the chicken. —Heather Walker, Scottsdale, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 202 calories, 10g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat

fat (2g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 436mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 15/49 Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can’t beat the tender filling made in a slow cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we’ve had—and we’ve tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum.

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch

—Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 282 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch. 16/49 Turkey and Black Bean Chili 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey and Black Bean Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This busy-day chili is packed with flavor. We make it ahead and freeze some to eat later. —Marisela Segovia, Miami, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 247 calories, 7g fat (2g

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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