Chile Relleno Casserole
This simple Chile Relleno Casserole is beyond compare; rich with cheeses surrounding poblano peppers and topped with a jalapeno/tomato sauce for just enough heat.
I first made and enjoyed this Chile Relleno Casserole when I attended a Broncos game at a friends house. That’s often when I prepare it too but it should not be limited to just football; it’s perfect all year round!
I used to love watching football with friends…it’s not just about the game but the camaraderie, the fun of some silly and meaningless bets and of course…the food! But my team went through a spell and it wasn’t a good one.
A bad head coach, some even badder players and I lost all interest. Then the stars aligned and I’m slowly being brought back into the fold. Why? Isn’t Peyton Manning enough?
Well, he just might be but beyond that?
I met the sweetest young man last year who had moved into a home on our street. He and his wife had a new baby and I met them when they were out walking. A casual, ‘What do you do?’ and I found he punted. For the Broncos! Not just punted though…seems our boy Britton Colquitt is the best…add that to his sweet charm and I was sold.
I was curious enough to start peeking at some games. I’ve known or met several Broncos but never one so unassuming and sweet and I can not deny I have never before watched a game to see the punter but now I was intent on seeing him play. Britton also spoke so highly of the Broncos coach, John Fox, that I thought it might be time to get over my disgust during the Josh McDaniels era; he was a big part of what made me tire of watching the game but I’m thinking that maybe the boys are back?
Add those facts to the aforementioned Mr. Manning, who amazes everyone with his skill, his athleticism and for me…his demeanor on and off the field (though luckily you do not have to rely on rapping Peyton) and I’ve been convinced to invest some Sunday afternoon hours with the boys in orange and blue. I even named a cat after him.
Baseball was my first love and the St. Louis Cardinals (YAY on the playoffs!) will always hold a place near and dear to my heart but moving to Denver holds an expectation and that expectation is that you get swept up into Broncos frenzy.
The years of almost and the years of embarrassing and then finally the years of Super Bowl victories; I was there for them all. I actually remember the first game that I watched with a group of friends over 20 years ago. That day was not yet my day of football frenzy reckoning…not even close.
Still, it was a big day. Why? Well, I am a proud member of the ‘Green Pepper Haterz Club’ and for many, many years I lumped all peppers of the green variety into the fold. But then this dish was part of an assortment set out for folks to enjoy and everything changed.
Truth is if I had known that any form of pepper that was green was layered within I might have passed it by but our relationship was meant to be and I took a chance and was swept away for a lifetime.
The club name needs to be changed to ‘Green BELL Pepper Haterz Club’ since they are the reviled ones…Hatch, poblano, jalapeno and Serrano…they have all become my friends.
I don’t have a clue who won or lost that game and I don’t even remember the people I was with; but I wanted the recipe bad so I hunted down the person who made it (BI – Before Internet). Now it’s sure to be on the menu for one or more get togethers in my every single year.
It’s simple too; a mixture of cheeses are layered with chiles and the Chile Relleno Casserole is held together during baking with some eggs and milk. Topped for the last part of the bake with tomato sauce that has been flavored with onion, jalapeno and garlic and then finished when served with a dollop of sour cream, I think it’s simply to die for.
If you already love peppers and don’t have to be convinced? This is a must try for sure!
More recipes with Poblano or Hatch green chiles; I love both and switch up the recipes with either too!
- Hatch Green Chile Macaroni and Cheese
- Sausage and Hatch Green Chile Pizza on Naan Bread
- Hatch Green Chile and Cheese Soup
- Chile Relleno Soup
- Roasted Poblano Pepper and Corn Soup
PIN IT! ‘Chile Relleno Casserole’
Chili Relleno Casserole
Ingredients
- 8-10 green chiles; roasted cleaned and seeded (I used a milder Hatch green chile)
- 1 lb. grated Muenster cheese
- 1 lb. grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 beaten eggs
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 1 tsp. salt
For the Sauce:
- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1-2 fresh jalapeno peppers depending on level of heat you want, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic chopped
- Sour cream for garnish
Instructions
- Wash chilies and remove seeds, drain well and dry between paper towels.
- Place chilies flat in casserole and layer with mixed cheeses. Repeat each layer.
- Beat eggs in separate bowl and mix in evaporated milk, flour and salt. Pour over casserole.
- Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour.
- Saute onion, jalapeno and garlic until soft. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 30 minutes. Set aside.
- After one hour remove the casserole from the oven.
- Pour the tomato and jalapeno mixture on top of the casserole and bake an additional 30 minutes.
- Let sit for 5 minutes and then cut into squares to serve.
- Top with dollop of sour cream.
I grew up watching football and my son played in high school and college and then I moved to Australia with Aussie Rules football. Your writing is a work of verbal art, thank you for giving us that experience. We hope you will share more with us!
13×9 pan? What size casserole dish? Looks and sounds yummy. Not a football fan but we do live in Buffalo, NY. Thanks for the recipe!!
Yes! I can’t believe I didn’t specify the size of the pan but 13×9 is what I use, thanks for the heads up!
I first had it a football game but I’ve served it almost every year at my holiday party in December and everyone loves it!
For any of your readers that can’t find chile locally, try http://www.hatch-green-chile.com for farm fresh hatch green chile shipped from the field to you!
Oh, I do love Hatch chiles and this casserole is calling to me…perfect football food! Sundays are all about football in our house and this will make a delicious late breakfast. Is it ok that we’ll be watching the Seahawks, though? 🙂
Yes, what fun to watch the Broncos and even better to have good food to go along with it. We are really enjoying watching the games and have an exciting season ahead of us this year!
Hatch peppers are beyond good. And this recipe is truly good stuff – excellent job with it. Denver has a great team this year – they must be a ton of fun to watch. The Rams are at least a year away from being competitive, and the Bucs (the other team I follow) are an embarrassing joke. So I’m glad the Cards are in the playoffs! They’re always fun. Good post – thanks.
I am with you. I didn’t watch a Broncos game for almost a season and a half. Then Manning & Fox happened and though I am not a big football fan, I do watch most of the Broncos games.
Lovely dish to celebrate a Great Team! Go Broncos 😀
This does sound totally fabulous. And cheesey. And easy. And perfect for a Broncos game. But only if they are winning. And they seem to be doing a good job of that lately, which makes my manservant happy. As would this!
Chili Relleno is one of my all-time favorites. And, one of these days, I know I’m going to get to try some Hatch green chilis. If they ever make their way to Georgia!
I have a recipe for an all time family favorite recipe that reminds me of this. There is just nothing better than a hot and cheesy casserole to warm you up on chilly days. I’m not a football watcher, but I will have to leave one of these behind for my husband to munch on as I head out for the movies.
It’s too cool that you know the punter for the Bronco’s. I’m slowly but surely becoming a football fan after many years of kicking and dragging my feet in complete disinterest. The Chicago Bears is our team and now that Lovie Smith is gone, I think there just may be a chance the Bears will have a really great year! Maybe 😉 My husband is a die hard Bears fan and his dad has been a season ticket holder for 60+ years! That’s a long, long time!
Your recipe looks like a real winner and one that I’m definitely going to try (and pin). Thanks for sharing it.
I grew up watching football and my son played in high school and college and then I moved to Australia with Aussie Rules football. I was unprepared. 🙂 and cricket with a position called ‘silly mid on’.
I’d need this casserole to keep up. 🙂 It looks delicious.