11 Hearty Mexican Dinners That Go Beyond Tacos
A collection of 11 substantial Mexican recipes moves past tacos to include dishes like pozole rojo, enchiladas negras, and carne asada fries, focusing on
If your Mexican cooking is mostly taco-based, you are missing a world of spicy, cheesy, and smoky dishes. Serious Eats has compiled 11 hearty dinner recipes that explore this broader cuisine, from soups to casseroles and skillet meals.
Grilled and Skillet Specialties
The collection starts with pollo asado, Mexican grilled chicken marinated in citrus, chiles, garlic, and spices. The marinade seasons the meat and helps it develop charred edges on the grill. Another option is chicken alambre, a skillet dish packed with chicken, smoky bacon, peppers, onions, and melted cheese. The vegetables cook in the savory bacon fat before everything is finished with a layer of gooey cheese.
Gringas combine the flavors of tacos al pastor with the crisp appeal of a quesadilla. Marinated pork is layered with melted cheese and flour tortillas, then cooked until golden. Pineapple and salsa provide a bright counterpoint. For a seafood option, camarones a la diabla features shrimp cooked in a vibrant, fiery chile sauce that balances smoky heat with acidity.
Hearty Soups and Stews
Pozole rojo is a classic Mexican soup made with tender pork, chewy hominy, and a rich red chile broth. Dried chiles give the broth its deep color and flavor. It is traditionally finished with fresh garnishes like cabbage, radishes, onion, and lime.
Another comforting dish is a Mexican preparation of brothy beans and pork. Beans and tender pork simmer in a flavorful broth, then get topped with spicy salsa macha and bright cilantro pesto. The contrasting sauces add heat and freshness to every spoonful.
Baked and Fried Favorites
The list includes several baked dishes. Chicken enchiladas negras get their dark color and deep flavor from a rich chile-based sauce. Tender chicken is wrapped in tortillas, coated generously with the sauce, and baked until bubbling. Pastel Azteca is a Mexican casserole built from layers of tortillas, chicken, salsa, and cheese, sometimes described as a Mexican-style lasagna.
For a fried option, panuchos are a Yucatán specialty. They are made by stuffing tortillas with creamy refried black beans before frying them until crisp. They are traditionally topped with ingredients like seasoned meat, pickled onions, and avocado.
Indulgent Mash-Ups and Rice Dishes
The collection also features modern mash-ups. Carne asada fries take loaded fries to the next level with juicy slices of grilled steak and a rich chile butter sauce. Crisp fries provide the base for the tender meat and savory sauce.
Finally, morisqueta is a hearty dish that combines fluffy white rice with tender braised pork ribs and a bright, chile-rich salsa. The rice provides a simple base for the savory pork and punchy sauce, making it ideal for a family-style meal.
