Here’s a delicious, healthier twist on Chile Rellenos — baked instead of fried, stuffed with cheese (or meat) and smothered in sauce. Perfect for a comfort meal without the extra oil!
🌶️ BAKED CHILE RELLENOS
Serves 4–6
Ingredients
For the Chiles
- 6 large poblano peppers
- 1–2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend)
- Optional: cooked ground beef, chorizo, or black beans for filling
For the Coating
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (optional, stabilizes egg whites)
- 2–3 tbsp flour
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes or 2 cups fresh tomatoes, roasted
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp sugar if tomatoes are acidic
🔥 Instructions
1. Roast the Chiles
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or use a gas flame.
- Roast poblanos until skin is blistered and blackened all over.
- Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes.
- Peel off skin, make a slit down the side, remove seeds carefully.
2. Prepare the Filling
- Stuff each chile with cheese or your optional filling.
- Fold the chile around the filling gently.
3. Make the Coating
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, beat yolks lightly.
- Fold yolks into whites gently.
- Lightly dredge stuffed chiles in flour, then dip into egg mixture, coating evenly.
4. Bake the Chiles
- Place chiles on a greased baking dish.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until coating is golden and set.
5. Make the Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan.
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper (and sugar if using).
- Simmer 10 minutes, then blend until smooth if desired.
6. Serve
- Pour warm sauce over baked chiles.
- Garnish with cilantro, extra cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian: Stick with cheese or beans.
- Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeño to the filling.
- Cheesy Crisp: Sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking for a golden crust.
- Protein Boost: Mix shredded chicken or ground beef into the cheese filling.
If you want, I can also give you:
🔥 A quick 30-minute skillet version
🌶️ A spicy pepper & sausage version
🧀 An ultra-cheesy, crowd-pleasing version
Which one should I do?
