So easy, and so good: my vegan sweet potato enchilada bake! Layered with kale, beans, corn and enchilada sauce, it is grain-free, oil-free, and high in plant protein!
Healthy Enchilada Casserole made with Sweet Potatoes
Tomorrow is New Year’s Day–time for new pursuits and a long list of resolutions!
But we all need to fuel up and feel good, too. How else to tackle all of those lists (let alone recover from a late night of merry-making).
I’ve got you covered, friends. My Vegan Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake is everything you want to start the 365 days ahead, and then some!
Ingredients for Vegan Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake
This delectable entrée is packed with vegetables, specifically kale and sweet potatoes, but also lots of cilantro (feel free to skip the cilantro, or replace it with parsley, if you are not a cilantro person).
Canned beans (I used one can red kidney beans and 1 can black beans) deliver plenty of heartiness and plant protein. The only other ingredients are red enchilada sauce (flavor town in one can!) and shredded non-dairy Cheddar cheese (regular Cheddar is perfect, too, if you eat dairy).
How to Make the Enchilada Bake
Step 1: Thinly Slice the Sweet Potatoes
The only part of the recipe requiring much effort is thinly slicing the sweet potato. But I’ve eliminated that effort in one fell swoop with my handy, inexpensive standing grater. Other devices work, too: a mandoline, a food processor (fitted with the slicer attachment), or a really sharp knife.
However, the standing grater makes the work fast and easy. I like fast and easy. Oh, and don’t worry about getting perfect slices. They get covered up anyway :).
Step 2: Let the Layering Begin!
Ok, you’re ready to layer! Use a medium-size baking dish (e.g., about 11×7 inches, or 9×9 inches).
Combine the drained beans, corn and cilantro in a medium bowl.
Pour some of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan and begin layering about 1/3 of the sweet potatoes. Top with half of the bean mixture, half of the kale and cilantro, 1/3 of the cheese, and half of the remaining enchilada sauce. Repeat the same layering and then finish with the last third of the sweet potatoes (you’ll add the remaining cheese later).
Step 3: Cover & Bake
Tightly cover the pan with foil and bake in a 400F oven for 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
Uncover the pan and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 10 minutes longer. The bake will be very bubbly when it emerges from the oven, so let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. If you like, sprinkle with some additional chopped cilantro.
Ta-da!
The flavors of this enchilada bake are so complex and scrumptious, belying the simplicity of the preparation.
An enchilada bake made with sweet potatoes, kale, enchilada sauce, and a mix of beans and corn. Packed with vegetables and plant protein, it is super-simple to make and incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
2 15-ounce cans black beans or kidney beans, rinsed and drained (I used one of each)
1 cup canned or frozen (thawed) corn
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
2 cups red enchilada sauce
1 large sweet potato (1 pound), peeled and very thinly sliced
6 cups chopped lacinato or curly kale (tough stems removed)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I used nondairy, but use dairy cheese if you like)
In a medium bowl, combine the beans, corn and cilantro.
Pour 1/3 of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a medium-large baking pan (e.g., 11×7 inches). Layer 1/3 of the sweet potatoes on top followed by half the kale, half the bean mixture, and 1/3 of the cheese.
Pour another third of the sauce over and repeat the layers. Pour the remaining sauce over and top with the remaining sweet potatoes.
Tightly cover the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 10 minutes longer.
Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes before sprinkling with the optional cilantro and serving.
21 Best Vegan Enchilada Recipes Anyone Will Love - The Eat Down
Thursday 6th of August 2020
[…] Check it out here […]
Ana
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
I messed up the layers but still tasted so good!
Camilla
Saturday 30th of May 2020
Oh good, Ana, so glad it still came out!
Camilla
Saturday 30th of May 2020
Oh good, glad it still came out! :)
Tom
Thursday 16th of April 2020
This was soooo good! I subbed russet potatoes as we don't like sweet potatoes. I also added some salt, pepper and cumin to the bean/corn mixture. The casserole was incredibly flavorful and it made a ton, I had to pull out my 9 X 13 pan. I will definitely make this again.
Camilla
Sunday 19th of April 2020
So happy to hear it, Tom! I need to make this again, myself--your comment was a good reminder :)
I’m Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.
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Tuesday 22nd of September 2020
[…] Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake {Vegan, Oil-Free, Grain-Free} […]
21 Best Vegan Enchilada Recipes Anyone Will Love - The Eat Down
Thursday 6th of August 2020
[…] Check it out here […]
Ana
Wednesday 27th of May 2020
I messed up the layers but still tasted so good!
Camilla
Saturday 30th of May 2020
Oh good, Ana, so glad it still came out!
Camilla
Saturday 30th of May 2020
Oh good, glad it still came out! :)
Tom
Thursday 16th of April 2020
This was soooo good! I subbed russet potatoes as we don't like sweet potatoes. I also added some salt, pepper and cumin to the bean/corn mixture. The casserole was incredibly flavorful and it made a ton, I had to pull out my 9 X 13 pan. I will definitely make this again.
Camilla
Sunday 19th of April 2020
So happy to hear it, Tom! I need to make this again, myself--your comment was a good reminder :)