Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

nachos with three types of sauces

Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th, is the celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While this holiday holds a deep cultural significance in Mexico, the United States has formed its own ways of celebrating this day (because who wouldn’t want another reason to eat tacos and drink margaritas?!) and we’ve rounded up some Hispanic-inspired recipes to help you have your own fiesta at home. See the dishes below.

Mexican Tamale Pie

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This Mexican tamale pie is a little pie, a little casserole, a little cake…it’s the best of all worlds and it’s perfect for an easy family dinner or a potluck entree.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cans creamed corn
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 can enchilada sauce
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • Taco seasoning
  • Favorite taco toppings

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • In a bowl, mix together muffin mix, sour cream, creamed corn, and eggs
  • Spread mixture in greased baking pan and bake for 25-30 mins
  • While mixture is baking, brown ground beef in a pan
  • Once browned, drain beef and return to pan
  • Add enchilada sauce and taco seasoning
  • Remove corn muffin mix from oven and poke holes in top with fork
  • Spread meat mixture evenly over the top
  • Top with grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese
  • Bake for another 15-20 mins or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly
  • Serve with your favorite taco toppings!

Taco Dip

This taco dip is super easy to make and super scrumptious! Great for an afternoon pick-me-up, parties and celebrations, or a yummy appetizer on taco night, this dip will be a heavy hitter in your recipe rotation.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 16oz sour cream 
  • 8oz cream cheese 
  • 1 bag shredded cheese 
  • Sliced olives 
  • Diced tomatoes 
  • Shredded lettuce 
  • 1.5 TBSP taco seasoning 
  • Chips or veggies for dipping

DIRECTIONS:

  • Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning until well blended 
  • Add to a pie tray or casserole dish and top with shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and olives
  • Enjoy with your favorite veggies or chips! 

Disney’s Encanto-Inspired Buñuelos

These Disney’s Encanto-inspired Buñuelos are a fun way to bring the beloved children’s movie to real life! Kids and adults alike will love this delicious Colombian dish.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup cassava flour
  • 1 cup quesito cheese
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 TBSP sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder 
  • 2 TBSP butter (room temperature)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 TBSP milk
  • 3 cups of vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

  • Mix all ingredients together (except vegetable oil) to form dough
  • Heat vegetable oil in a pot until it reaches 320-340°
  • Lower heat to medium and keep at constant temperature
  • Divide dough into equal portions and roll into balls
  • Fry 2-4 Buñuelos at a time for about 2-5 minutes, or until golden brown
  • Remove from oil and place on paper towel to remove excess oil
  • Serve fresh! Warning: they will be HOT!!

Strawberry Crunch Tres Leches Cake

This strawberry crunch tres leches cake is a sweet treat with a fruity spin. Fluffy, creamy, and crunchy, this cake is melt-in-your-mouth ahhhh-mazing.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 box strawberry cake mix
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 18 Golden Oreos
  • 1 packet of strawberry Jello

DIRECTIONS:

  • Bake strawberry cake according to instructions on box and let cool for one hour
  • In a bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1 cup of heavy cream
  • Poke holes in top of cooled cake and pour milk mixture over top
  • Let cake soak for at least four hours (the longer the better – preferably overnight!)
  • To make icing, blend 1 cup of heavy cream with sugar and vanilla (it will take some time to get fluffy…if it’s runny, keep blending)
  • Crush Oreos and place in bowl
  • Pour Jello packet into a separate bowl
  • Melt butter and pour half over crushed Oreos and half into Jello powder and mix
  • Combine Oreo mixture and Jello mixture and stir
  • Ice cake and top with Oreo/Jello mixture
  • Enjoy!

Crescent Roll Churros

These crescent roll churros are sugary goodness wrapped up in doughy delight. With only three ingredients, this dessert is a no-brainer!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cans of crescent rolls
  • Melted butter
  • Cinnamon sugar

DIRECTIONS:

  • Roll out crescent rolls
  • Brush melted butter over dough
  • Top with cinnamon sugar
  • Add another layer of crescent roll and repeat process with butter and cinnamon sugar
  • Cut into strips and twist
  • Place twists on baking sheet
  • Bake for 13 minutes at 350°

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