Dinner doesn’t have to feel like a chore when Mexican food is on the menu. These 23 easy recipes include main dishes, tasty appetizers, flavorful sides, and quick desserts that bring bold flavors to the table without a lot of fuss. All of the recipes are simple to make, satisfying to eat, and perfect for getting the whole family around the table.
Homemade Nacho Cheese. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Get dinner on the table fast with a cheesy beef and rice casserole that cooks in one pot. The combination of beef, rice, and melted cheese is filling and comforting while keeping cleanup simple. Serve this hearty dish when you want an easy Mexican meal that brings the whole family together around the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Tamale Pot Pies
Make dinner easier with tamale pot pies filled with tender chicken, corn, and spices in a soft masa crust. The flavors of traditional tamales come through without spending hours in the kitchen. Try these pot pies when a quick and satisfying Mexican meal for the family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Refried Beans
Add creamy, flavorful refried beans to round out any taco or enchilada dinner. It cooks quickly using a few pantry staples and adds richness to the meal. Include this classic Mexican dish when you want a simple side that makes family dinners feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Chunky Guacamole
Whip up chunky guacamole in minutes with ripe avocados, lime, tomatoes, and seasonings. It pairs perfectly with tacos, quesadillas, or just as a fresh side. Serve this quick Mexican favorite when you want a fast, flavorful addition that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Add a sweet twist to dinner with Mexican sheetcake brownies flavored with chocolate, cinnamon, and chili powder. They bake quickly and cut easily into bars for sharing after the meal. Try these brownies when a simple, bold-flavored dessert is needed for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Brighten tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats with roasted tomatillo salsa that’s tangy, zesty, and ready in minutes. The charred notes add depth while keeping the flavor fresh. Serve this salsa when a fast, flavorful Mexican side is needed to complete the table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Spanish Rice
Cook fluffy Spanish rice that pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, or burritos in a single pot. It has more flavor than plain restaurant rice and is simple to prepare. Make this Mexican classic when you want a quick side that brings the family together around dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Melt up creamy nacho cheese in minutes with a touch of spice that adds flavor to tacos, burritos, or roasted vegetables. The rich, smooth texture is ready without extra work. Add this cheesy Mexican favorite when a fast, comforting boost is needed for weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Dessert Nachos
Layer cinnamon sugar tortillas with berries, chocolate, and whipped cream for a playful dessert twist. The combination of textures makes serving easy and fun straight from the plate. Try these sweet Mexican nachos when a simple, impressive dessert is needed for a family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Fill flaky pastry with tender chicken for empanadas that come together quickly with a few simple shortcuts. Baking only takes a few minutes, yet they taste homemade and satisfying. Serve these handheld Mexican meals when a fast, family-friendly dinner is needed without extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Warm up with chicken tortilla soup that mixes chicken, beans, and corn in a flavorful broth. It cooks quickly and is filling enough to be a complete meal without extra dishes. Serve this easy Mexican soup when a fast and satisfying dinner for the whole family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Roll rotisserie chicken and cheese into soft tortillas and bake with sauce for a comforting dinner that comes together fast. The flavors meld quickly, keeping prep and cleanup simple for busy nights. Make these enchiladas when a hearty Mexican meal that pleases everyone is needed.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Honey Habanero Tacos
Try honey habanero tacos with ground beef coated in a sweet and spicy glaze for bold flavor without extra work. They cook quickly and taste lively with every bite. Make these tacos when a simple but different Mexican dinner is needed for the family.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Red Enchilada Sauce
Stir up a rich red sauce using simple pantry ingredients to add flavor to tacos, enchiladas, or casseroles. It simmers quickly while giving meals a homemade taste. Keep this sauce ready when you want fast, authentic Mexican flavor at family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Red Enchilada Sauce
Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Stack seven layers of beans, cheese, and toppings for a dip that’s full of flavor and easy to serve. It comes together in minutes and works well as a snack or side dish. Try this Mexican dip when you need a simple, tasty addition for family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Non-Traditional 7 Layer Dip
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Cook quinoa, beans, corn, and salsa in one skillet for a filling meal packed with protein and flavor. The one-pot method keeps prep easy and cleanup minimal. Serve this Mexican skillet dish when a fast, healthy dinner for the family is needed.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Wrap seasoned beef in flaky puff pastry for empanadas that cook quickly and taste impressive. They work as a snack, side, or main dish without complicated prep. Make these Mexican empanadas when you want a convenient, family-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Carnitas
Prepare tender pulled pork-style carnitas that are rich in flavor while staying easy to cook for tacos or burritos. The recipe avoids dairy but keeps an authentic taste. Serve carnitas when a quick and filling Mexican meal is needed for a family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Enchilada Meatballs
Bake seasoned meatballs in enchilada sauce for a meal that is bold in flavor and simple to make. They come together quickly and give a comforting, family-style dinner. Try these Mexican meatballs when you want a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Enchilada Meatballs
Garden Fresh Salsa
Mix fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice to create a salsa ready in minutes. It brightens tacos, burritos, or grilled dishes without extra effort. Serve this Mexican salsa when a quick, fresh addition to dinner is needed for the family.
Get the Recipe: Garden Fresh Salsa
Birria Pizza
Layer tender, spicy meat over melted cheese on a pizza crust for a Mexican-inspired twist that cooks quickly. The flavors stay bold while keeping prep easy for a weeknight dinner. Serve this pizza when a fun, family-friendly meal with rich taste is needed fast.
Get the Recipe: Birria Pizza
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Cook steak and shrimp with peppers and onions in a single pan for a dinner that’s fast and flavorful. The simple seasoning brings bold Mexican flavors without extra dishes. Make these fajitas when a family meal that’s easy and full of taste is needed.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Toss charred corn, creamy chili lime dressing, and cotija cheese with pasta for a side that’s fresh and flavorful. The dish comes together quickly while delivering bold Mexican-inspired flavor. Serve this pasta salad when you want an easy side that brings everyone to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad