Chiles Rellenos Casserole
A comforting, oven-baked twist on the classic Mexican chiles rellenos. Layers of roasted poblano peppers, gooey Monterey Jack cheese, and a light, fluffy egg batter come together in one dish. All the flavor without the hassle of stuffing and frying individual peppers.
For 8 servings
- prep · ~10 min
Roast the poblano peppers until charred.
1.Place poblano peppers directly over a gas flame or under a broiler set to high.2.Turn occasionally with tongs until the skin is blackened and blistered all over (about 8-10 minutes).3.Transfer peppers to a plastic bag, seal it, and let them steam for 10 minutes to loosen the skins.4.Gently peel off the charred skins and remove the stems and seeds, keeping peppers whole but split open flat.TIPDon't rinse the peppers under water to remove the charred skin—it will wash away the smoky flavor. Use your fingers or a paper towel instead. - prep · ~1 min
Preheat oven and prepare the baking dish.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- assemble · ~3 min
Layer the peppers and cheese in the dish.
1.Arrange half of the roasted peppers in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.2.Sprinkle half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the peppers.3.Repeat with the remaining peppers and the remaining cheese, creating two layers. - mix · ~2 min
Whisk the egg batter until smooth.
1.In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and beat them well.2.Add the milk, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.3.Whisk vigorously until no lumps of flour remain and the batter is smooth and frothy. - bake · ~40 min
Pour the batter over the layers and bake.
1.Carefully pour the egg batter evenly over the layered peppers and cheese, letting it seep into all the gaps.2.Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.TIPThe casserole is done when the top is puffed and golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. - rest · ~5 min
Let the casserole rest before slicing.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows it to set for clean slicing.
- garnish · ~1 min
Garnish with fresh tomatoes and cilantro, then serve.
Scatter the diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro over the top of the casserole. Cut into 8 squares and serve warm.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best smoky flavor, char the poblanos until the skin is completely blackened before steaming.
- 2Don't skip the 10-minute steam in a sealed bag — it makes peeling the peppers effortless.
- 3Pat the roasted peppers dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, preventing a watery casserole.
- 4Let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes after baking so it sets firm enough for clean squares.
- 5Use whole milk for the batter; lower-fat milk won't give the same fluffy, custard-like texture.
- 6Shred the Monterey Jack yourself — pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that inhibit melting.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian protein boost
Add a layer of seasoned black beans or sauteed mushrooms between the peppers and cheese for extra heft and earthiness.
spicySpicy
Mix 1-2 diced jalapeños into the cheese layers and add a pinch of cayenne to the batter for those who want more heat.
lower carbLower-carb
Replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour (use about 1/3 cup) to reduce carbs while keeping the batter structure.
dairy freeDairy-free
Swap the Monterey Jack for a high-melting vegan cheddar shred and use unsweetened oat milk in the batter; the texture will be softer but still delicious.
gluten freeGluten-free
Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour — no other adjustments needed.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Vitamin C
Poblano peppers provide a generous amount of vitamin C, which supports immune health and collagen production.
Good Source of Calcium
Monterey Jack cheese contributes calcium for strong bones and teeth, especially in this generous layered dish.
Moderate Protein Content
Eggs and cheese combine to offer a moderate amount of high-quality protein to help keep you full longer.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but fresh-roasted peppers have much deeper smoky flavor. If using canned, drain and pat them very dry to avoid excess liquid.
