– 8 large poblano or Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled, and seeded
– 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 6 large eggs
– 1 cup half-and-half
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Creating the Chile Rellenos Casserole is straightforward when you follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare Chiles: Roast the poblano or Anaheim chiles over an open flame or under the broiler until the skin is charred. Place them in a bag or covered bowl for a few minutes to steam, then peel and seed them.
3. Layer Chiles: Once peeled, slice the chiles open to lay them flat. Arrange half of the chiles in a single layer in the greased baking dish.
4. Add Cheese: Sprinkle half of the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese evenly over the chiles.
5. Repeat Layer: Place the remaining chiles on top of the cheese layer, followed by the rest of the cheese.
6. Mix Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined.
7. Pour Mixture: Carefully pour the egg mixture over the layered chiles and cheese in the baking dish.
8. Top with Tomatoes: Evenly spread the diced tomatoes on top of the casserole.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is set and golden brown on top.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.