Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

So so easy. So so yummy. Which is pretty much the theme of my summer meals.

Also this costs at least half the price of canned enchilada sauce.

Easy Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce
makes about 4 C (this is easily enough for two pans of enchiladas--we used less than half of it)
prep time: 5-10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Cost: $1.00
beef broth (I used bullion): .35, tomato sauce: 1.30, chili powder: .25, other stuff: .10

Note: This can be made whenever and frozen. If made for tonight's dinner, let it simmer while you brown the beef and grate the cheese and it'll be good to go when you're ready for it.

Note: Tomato puree is just that--tomatoes that have been pureed and cooked into a sauce. Tomato sauce usually has a bit of salt, onion powder, garlic powder added into the sauce. You can use either in this recipe, but I used sauce. Know that if you use puree, you'll need to add significantly more salt to the final product since it contains none.

3 Tbs oil
2 Tbsp flour
1/4 C chili powder (yes, that much--trust me; it won't be too spicy; we're not spicy folks)
1 Tbsp cumin (also correct)
2 C beef broth
2 C tomato sauce or puree (if using puree will need more salt)
1/2 tsp dry oregano
1 clove minced garlic
salt to taste

In a sauce pan, heat oil. Add flour, chili powder, and cumin and whisk so that it forms a red pasty blob. Yum.

Then whisk in the beef broth until you've got a nice smooth sauce. Add tomato sauce (or puree), oregano, and garlic.

Simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Let it cool a bit before dipping your enchiladas in it, so you don't burn your fingers.

P.S.
To make very simple enchiladas:
Cook 1/2-1 pound ground beef. Season with salt and pepper.
Grate 2 C cheese.
Dip tortillas in sauce, then add beef and cheese and roll up. Place these in a pan. Pour enchilada sauce over them when you're done, then add another sprinkling of cheese to the top. Bake at 350-375 for about 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melty and stuff is bubbling.

PRINTABLE RECIPE