Southern Sausage Enchiladas With Sausage Gravy Recipe

The Irresistible Southern Sausage Enchiladas with Gravy Recipe

Southern sausage enchiladas have become my unexpected comfort food obsession lately.

Memories of weekend breakfasts flood back when I whip up this hearty dish.

Warm tortillas wrapped around spicy meat create a magical combination that satisfies deep hunger.

Creamy sausage gravy adds a rich Southern twist to traditional enchilada recipes.

Comfort meets creativity in this delightful fusion of Tex-Mex and Southern cooking styles.

Peppers and robust sausage bring complex layers of flavor that dance across your palate.

Craving something uniquely delicious?

This recipe promises to become your new weekend favorite.

Why Southern Sausage Enchiladas Work So Well

  • Flavor Fusion Delight: Combine the bold Southern sausage with classic Mexican enchilada style, creating a mouthwatering crossover dish that surprises and satisfies taste buds.
  • Comfort Food Champion: Packed with hearty ingredients like sausage, eggs, and cheese, this recipe delivers a warm, filling meal that feels like a comforting hug on a plate.
  • One-Pan Dish: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking process that uses the same skillet for multiple steps, making preparation simple and efficient for home cooks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family gatherings, weekend brunches, or casual dinner parties where everyone craves something deliciously unexpected and indulgent.

What Goes Into Southern Sausage Enchiladas

Main Ingredients:

Protein Base:
  • Sausage: Flavorful meat that provides the main protein for the dish.
  • Eggs: Soft scrambled eggs adding richness to the filling.
Cheese Group:
  • Pepper Jack Cheese: Spicy and melty cheese with a kick.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds depth of flavor.
Tortilla and Filling Components:
  • Tortillas: Soft wrap to hold the delicious filling.
  • Tater Tots: Crispy potato bites adding texture to the mixture.

Supporting Ingredients:

Vegetable Mix:
  • Onion: Sweet and aromatic vegetable for base flavor.
  • Jalapeno: Spicy pepper that adds heat to the dish.
Gravy Components:
  • Milk: Creamy liquid for creating smooth sausage gravy.
  • Flour: Thickening agent for the gravy.
Additional Seasonings:
  • Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance overall taste.
  • Butter: Rich ingredient for cooking eggs.
Baking Essentials:
  • Cooking Spray or Butter: For greasing the baking dish.

Cooking Southern Sausage Enchiladas at Home

Step 1: Brown Savory Sausage

Place sausage in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.

Break the sausage into small crumbles as it cooks, ensuring even browning and rich flavor development.

Step 2: Add Aromatic Vegetables

When sausage is halfway cooked, introduce chopped onions and diced jalapenos into the pan.

Continue cooking until the sausage turns completely golden brown and the vegetables become tender.

Step 3: Separate Sausage Mixture

Remove 1 cup of the sausage and vegetable mixture, setting it aside for later use in the enchilada filling.

Step 4: Create Creamy Gravy Base

Return the skillet to heat and sprinkle flour over the remaining sausage mixture.

Stir and cook for 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create a roux.

Step 5: Develop Rich Gravy

Gradually whisk milk into the sausage mixture, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken.

Once it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency, remove from heat.

Step 6: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.

Step 7: Scramble Fluffy Eggs

Whisk eggs and season with salt.

Melt butter in a nonstick pan and scramble the eggs, removing from heat when they are slightly undercooked to prevent overcooking during baking.

Step 8: Combine Enchilada Filling

In a medium bowl, mix the reserved sausage mixture, crispy tater tots, scrambled eggs, and half of the Pepper Jack and cheddar cheese to create a delicious filling.

Step 9: Assemble Enchiladas

Spread approximately 1/2 cup of the filling down the center of each tortilla.

Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.

Step 10: Add Gravy and Cheese

Pour the prepared sausage gravy over the top of the rolled enchiladas.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly across the surface.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Bake the enchiladas for 30 to 40 minutes until the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly, creating a golden, appetizing top layer.

Tips for Southern Sausage Enchiladas Success

  • Select spicy or mild breakfast sausage based on your heat preference, ensuring rich flavor profiles in your enchiladas.
  • Warm tortillas briefly before filling to increase flexibility and reduce moisture absorption, keeping enchiladas structurally sound.
  • Whisk milk slowly into sausage mixture and simmer patiently, stirring constantly to achieve smooth, thick gravy without lumps.
  • Remove scrambled eggs from heat when slightly undercooked, as they'll continue cooking in the oven, preventing dry, rubbery consistency.
  • Allow enchiladas to rest 5-10 minutes after baking, helping cheese set and making serving easier without losing melted goodness.

How to Keep Southern Sausage Enchiladas Fresh

  • Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
  • Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months, preserving flavor and texture.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover enchiladas with foil to prevent drying, warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Place single serving on microwave-safe plate, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between cycles to distribute warmth evenly.

Serve With Southern Sausage Enchiladas

  • Flavor-Boosting Wine Companion: Select a bold Zinfandel with spicy notes to complement the robust sausage and peppery jalapenos, cutting through the rich gravy and providing a zesty counterpoint.
  • Refreshing Sidekick Beverage: Mix a classic michelada using Mexican beer, lime juice, and a splash of hot sauce to echo the enchiladas' southern and Tex-Mex fusion flavors while cooling down the dish's heat.
  • Cooling Salsa Partner: Whip up a fresh cucumber-cilantro salsa with diced tomatoes and a hint of lime to add bright, crisp elements that balance the heavy, creamy enchilada components and provide textural contrast.
  • Palate-Cleansing Salad Ally: Create a light green salad with pickled red onions and a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness, offering a clean, acidic counterpoint that refreshes the taste buds between bites.

Flavor Up Southern Sausage Enchiladas

  • Vegetarian Enchiladas: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or black beans. Use vegetable broth instead of milk for gravy and incorporate roasted bell peppers for added flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Use gluten-free tortillas and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Swap tater tots with diced potatoes.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace tortillas with large lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas. Eliminate tater tots and increase protein content with extra sausage or additional scrambled eggs. Use heavy cream instead of milk for a richer gravy.
  • Spicy Breakfast Enchiladas: Add diced green chiles to sausage mixture. Increase jalapeno quantity or incorporate chipotle powder into gravy. Top with hot sauce or sriracha for extra heat.

FAQs

  • What makes this recipe unique in southern cuisine?

This dish blends traditional southern breakfast elements like sausage, eggs, and gravy with Mexican-style enchiladas, creating a cross-cultural comfort food experience.

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The jalapeños add a moderate heat level, but you can adjust the spiciness by removing seeds or using less pepper to suit your taste preference.

  • Can I use a different type of sausage?

Absolutely! While the recipe uses ground pork sausage, you can substitute with turkey sausage or spicy chorizo for different flavor profiles.

  • How difficult is this recipe for home cooks?

This enchilada recipe is moderately easy, requiring basic cooking skills like browning meat, making gravy, and assembling rolled enchiladas. Beginners with some cooking experience can successfully prepare this dish.

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Southern Sausage Enchiladas With Sausage Gravy Recipe

Southern Sausage Enchiladas With Sausage Gravy Recipe


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4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sizzling Southern Sausage Enchiladas dance with creamy gravy, blending Tex-Mex flair and comfort food charm. Rich layers of spicy sausage, melted cheese, and velvety sauce promise a delicious adventure you’ll savor to the last bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
  • 10 large eggs
  • 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 jalapeno, minced

Baking and Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 3/4 cups milk (22 fluid ounces)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups cooked tater tots
  • 10 fajita-size flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. Prepare sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, methodically crumbling the meat while cooking.
  2. When the sausage is partially cooked, introduce diced onion and chopped jalapeno, continuing to cook until the meat is completely browned.
  3. Extract one cup of the sausage mixture and set aside for later use.
  4. Return the skillet to the heat and dust the remaining sausage with flour, stirring and cooking for approximately one minute to create a roux.
  5. Slowly incorporate milk into the mixture, whisking continuously until the gravy thickens, then remove from heat.
  6. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  7. Crack eggs into a bowl, season with salt, and whisk thoroughly.
  8. Melt butter in a separate nonstick pan, gently scramble the eggs, and remove from heat while they remain slightly undercooked.
  9. In a mixing bowl, combine the reserved sausage mixture, crispy tater tots, scrambled eggs, and half of the Pepper Jack and cheddar cheese.
  10. Distribute approximately half a cup of the filling along the center of each tortilla, carefully rolling and positioning them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  11. Generously pour the prepared sausage gravy over the enchiladas, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • Customize spice levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or using milder peppers for sensitive palates.
  • Drain excess grease from sausage to prevent soggy enchiladas and reduce overall fat content.
  • Replace tater tots with diced hash browns or roasted potatoes for a lighter alternative.
  • Prepare sausage mixture ahead of time and refrigerate to enhance flavor development and streamline cooking process.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 750 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 200 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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