Irresistibly Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas Recipe Worth Savoring

Creamy shrimp enchiladas represent a tantalizing fusion of coastal flavors and Mexican culinary traditions.

Seafood lovers gravitate toward this luxurious dish that revamps humble ingredients into something spectacular.

Tender, succulent shrimp nestle inside soft tortillas, creating a mouthwatering canvas for rich, velvety sauce.

The combination balances delicate protein with robust, warming spices that dance across your palate.

Soft cheese melts into every crevice, adding depth and complexity to each carefully rolled enchilada.

Bright, fresh ingredients elevate this comfort food from ordinary to extraordinary, promising a dining experience that surprises and delights.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-worthy recipe with a few simple techniques.

Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas That Bring the Heat and Comfort

• Spice Up Your Seafood: Dive into a flavor explosion with these creamy shrimp enchiladas that blend zesty jalapeños, smoky chipotle, and rich spices for a mouthwatering kick.
• Creamy Comfort in Every Bite: Experience ultimate comfort with the luxurious sauce made from heavy cream and sour cream, creating a velvety texture that perfectly coats tender shrimp and soft tortillas.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this restaurant-quality dish in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy home cooks craving a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Shrimp Enchiladas

• Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that forms the main protein of the dish, best when fresh or high-quality frozen.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Mild and creamy cheese that adds richness and helps bind the enchiladas together.

• Onions, Jalapeños: Fresh vegetables that provide depth of flavor and a slight spicy kick, choose firm and vibrant produce.
• Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes that add moisture and a bright flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.

• Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Rich dairy components that create a smooth and creamy sauce, providing tangy and luxurious texture.
• Cayenne Pepper, Chipotle Chili Powder, Cumin: Spices that add warmth, complexity, and a subtle smoky heat to the enchiladas.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.
• Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas that serve as the wrap for the enchilada filling.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and enhances all other flavors in the dish.

How to Assemble and Bake Shrimp Enchiladas

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Base

• Sliced onions
• Chopped jalapeños

Cook until vegetables become soft and slightly translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

• Diced tomatoes
• Minced garlic

Stir and cook until vegetables blend together, approximately 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Sour cream
• Cayenne pepper
• Chipotle chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Salt

Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir, bringing to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook Seafood Perfectly

Add shrimp to the sauce. Cook until they turn opaque, flipping once. Remove from heat once fully cooked.

Step 6: Assemble Enchiladas

Spread Monterey Jack cheese down the center of each tortilla. Scoop shrimp and vegetable mixture on top of cheese. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in baking dish.

Step 7: Final Sauce and Cheese Layer

Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas. Sprinkle additional cheese on top.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide into preheated oven. Bake 15-18 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.

Tips for Creamy and Bold Enchilada Flavor

• Spice Selection Matters: Choose fresh jalapeños and high-quality chipotle chili powder for a vibrant, authentic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Shrimp Cooking Technique: Watch shrimp carefully while cooking to prevent overcooking; they should turn opaque and slightly curl, which ensures tender, juicy meat.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Grate Monterey Jack cheese directly before adding to ensure maximum melting potential and a smooth, creamy texture.
• Sauce Consistency Trick: Simmer the cream sauce slowly to develop rich flavors and prevent separation, stirring occasionally to maintain a silky smooth base.
• Tortilla Temperature Tip: Warm tortillas briefly before filling to make them more pliable and prevent cracking during rolling, creating perfect enchilada packages.

Save and Reheat Enchiladas the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Transfer enchiladas to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, cover enchiladas with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Uncover during the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.
• Microwave Option: Place individual enchiladas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm, checking to avoid overcooking.

What Goes Well with Shrimp Enchiladas

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Mix a classic lime margarita with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice to complement the creamy, spicy enchiladas. The citrusy kick cuts through the rich sauce and balances the heat from jalapeños and chipotle.
• Serve with Crisp Mexican Slaw: Create a tangy cabbage slaw with lime, cilantro, and a touch of jalapeño to provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the soft, creamy enchiladas. The bright acidity helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Match with Light Pilsner Beer: Choose a cold Mexican pilsner like Modelo Especial or Pacifico, which offers a clean, crisp flavor that refreshes the mouth after each spicy, creamy bite of the enchiladas.
• Garnish with Fresh Avocado Salsa: Top the enchiladas with a quick salsa made from diced avocado, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro to add a cool, creamy element that enhances the dish's texture and provides additional freshness.

Variations to Make It Your Own

• Spicy Seafood Sensation: Swap shrimp with crab or lobster meat and increase cayenne pepper for an extra kick of heat.
• Green Chile Fusion: Replace jalapeños with roasted green chiles and add chopped cilantro for a fresh, bright flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Substitute shrimp with grilled zucchini, black beans, and corn for a hearty plant-based alternative that maintains the creamy texture.
• Protein Power Swap: Use grilled chicken or pulled pork instead of shrimp, keeping the rich cream sauce and Mexican-inspired seasonings intact.

Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy shrimp enchiladas bring Mexican coastal flavors to dinner tables with luxurious cheese and tender seafood. Zesty spices and rich sauce wrap succulent shrimp in warm tortillas, promising a delightful meal that satisfies cravings and transports diners to sunny shores.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 12–14 ounces (340–400 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Fresh Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 large jalapeños, seeded or not (based on spice preference)
• 2 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Dairy and Cream Base:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup sour cream
• 8 ounces (227 grams) Monterey Jack cheese, grated and divided

Cooking and Seasoning:

• 1–2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Salt, to taste

Wrap:

• 4 soft taco-sized flour tortillas

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking vessel with cooking spray.
2. In a spacious skillet, sauté sliced onions and jalapeños in vegetable oil until they become translucent and tender.
3. Introduce diced tomatoes and minced garlic to the aromatic vegetable mixture, allowing them to meld and soften.
4. Create a luxurious sauce by whisking heavy cream, sour cream, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, cumin, and a delicate pinch of salt.
5. Pour the creamy sauce into the skillet, gently stirring to integrate with the sautéed vegetables and develop a rich, velvety consistency.
6. Carefully nestle raw shrimp into the simmering sauce, cooking until they transform from translucent to a pristine opaque white, ensuring complete doneness.
7. Prepare tortillas by spreading a generous layer of Monterey Jack cheese down the center of each.
8. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp and vegetable mixture onto the cheese-laden tortillas, carefully draining excess sauce.
9. Roll the tortillas tightly, positioning them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
10. Lavish the enchiladas with the remaining sauce, ensuring complete coverage, and crown with the final sprinkle of cheese.
11. Bake until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling masterpiece, approximately 15-18 minutes.
12. Remove from the oven and serve immediately, inviting diners to savor the creamy, spicy delight.

Notes

• Prep ahead by chopping vegetables and measuring spices before starting to streamline cooking process.
• Ensure shrimp are fresh and not overcooked to maintain tender, succulent texture in enchiladas.
• Choose medium-sized tortillas for easier rolling and consistent portion sizes.
• Select high-quality Monterey Jack cheese for rich, creamy melting performance.
• Control spice level by adjusting cayenne and chipotle chili powder according to personal heat preference.
• Use a slotted spoon when transferring shrimp mixture to prevent excess sauce from making enchiladas soggy.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg