MexicanMedium · Hot
Chilaquiles Rojos with Eggs
A hearty Mexican breakfast of crispy tortilla chips simmered in a bold red salsa and topped with scrambled eggs and melted cheese. Budget-friendly, satisfying, and done in under an hour.
Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
50 min
Method
1
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Build Salsa Roja
2
In the same pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
4
Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let the salsa simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it deepens in color and thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
5
If using pasteurized liquid eggs instead of shell eggs, follow package instructions for safe preparation.
Combine and Broil
6
7
Remove from heat and fold in the scrambled eggs. Transfer everything to a baking dish.
8
Scatter the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and lightly browned in spots.
9
Remove from oven, scatter fresh cilantro over the top, and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
C
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 9
Calories
1190
per serving
High in saturated fat · 23gCalorie-dense · 1190 kcalLow sugar · 8g
Protein
32g
Carbs
44g
Fat
99g
Sat. fat
23g
Fiber
7g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1448mg
Heart HealthyLow SodiumDiabetes FriendlyBudget FriendlyHigh ProteinBalanced Meal
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
C
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
1.5
per serving
CCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.4m³
Land
70Pt
Runoff
0.2g P
Cheddar Cheese drives 39% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
3
Sweet
5
Salty
2
Sour
1
Bitter
5
Spicy
Textures
CrispyTenderCreamySaucy
Aromas
HerbalSmokyPungentEarthy
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Frying PanCounter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Heat sunflower oil to proper temperature before frying tortillas. Oil should shimmer but not smoke. Monitor temperature between batches to prevent burning and smoke production.
Handling
Use tongs or slotted spoon when handling hot fried tortilla chips and when combining with simmering salsa. Dish reaches very high temperatures during broiling.
Cross Contamination
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw eggs. Sanitize all surfaces, utensils, and bowls that contacted raw eggs before using for other ingredients.
Storage
Store leftover chilaquiles in airtight container in refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Shelf Life
Consume leftover chilaquiles within 2-3 days when refrigerated. Texture will soften significantly upon storage as tortillas continue absorbing liquid.
High Risk Population
Pregnant women, infants, young children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals should ensure eggs are cooked to firm texture with no runny yolk before consumption to prevent salmonella risk.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains eggs and milk products. Ensure all serving vessels and utensils are thoroughly cleaned if used for other foods to prevent allergen cross-contact.
Pro Tips
Technique
Don't rush the salsa — let it simmer until it deepens in color and thickens. Those extra few minutes transform the flavor from flat to bold, and it's the difference between a sauce that just sits there and one that actually coats every chip perfectly.
Substitution
No tomato sauce on hand? A can of diced tomatoes blended smooth works just as well, and it's often cheaper. You can also swap the cheddar for whatever melty cheese you already have — even that half-bag of mozzarella sitting in your fridge.
From the chef
I learned to make this during my last semester of grad school when my grocery budget was thinner than my thesis pages. Chilaquiles became my Sunday morning ritual — affordable, filling, and packed with the bold flavors of cumin and garlic that make you forget you're eating pennies. This is proof that comfort food doesn't need to cost a fortune, and anyone can master it with a single pan and basic pantry staples.
TagsBudget FriendlyFryingBroilingScrambled EggsCheeseSalsa RojaTortilla ChipsUnder 1 Hour
AllergensEggsMilk
Source: generated · June 10, 2026