Jessica Bippen, MS, RD, shares a simple yet tasty sweet potato black bean enchilada recipe, which requires only seven ingredients.
Don’t let the idea of making enchiladas intimidate you! Many recipes call for homemade enchilada sauce, a long list of ingredients, and lots of time in the kitchen. Yet rest assured that this one simply doesn’t.
Fortunately, this sweet potato and black bean enchilada recipe comes together quickly with just a few pantry staples. Healthy, homemade enchiladas have never been easier, making for an easy weeknight meal.
About This Recipe
These enchiladas are made with healthy pantry staples, including onion, black beans, sweet potato, and tortillas. (If you don’t consider enchilada sauce a pantry staple, promise you’ll keep this spicy sauce on hand from now on?)
If you’re unfamiliar with enchilada sauce, it’s a pureed sauce made from rehydrated dried chili peppers, tomato, onion, and spices such as cumin. Enchilada sauce adds flavor and comfort to these vegetarian enchiladas. However, you can also mix it in chili, tortilla soup, Mexican skillets, or as a marinade or a sauce to drizzle on top of grain bowls. However, if you don’t have enchilada sauce, you can always substitute with your favorite jarred salsa.
Tip: When purchasing enchilada sauce or salsa, make sure to read the ingredient label. Avoid those that contain added sugar or inflammatory oils like canola oil. These aren’t necessary and don’t contribute to your overall health.
Looking to make this recipe vegan? You can easily make these enchiladas vegan by using dairy-free Mexican cheese, vegan queso, or homemade cashew cream. Alternatively, you can replace the cheese altogether and add sliced avocado just before serving.
Nutrition Highlights
Not only are these sweet potato black bean enchiladas delicious, but they’re also an incredibly healthy option when you’re craving comfort food. The black beans and sweet potato filling in these vegetarian enchiladas pack in the nutrition.
Black Beans
Black beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, folate, and iron. Pairing the black beans with sweet potatoes and a tomato-based enchilada sauce or salsa, which are rich in vitamin C, helps increase iron absorption. Pairing vitamin C with plant-based iron is especially important for those following a plant-based or vegan diet, as it can be harder to consume and absorb the proper amount of iron through plant-based foods.
Sweet Potatoes
Next, sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A. The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes converts to vitamin A in the body, and getting enough beta-carotene and vitamin A promotes healthy vision and supports immune health. One five-inch sweet potato provides 18,869 IU’s of vitamin A. (For reference, the daily recommended allowance is 3,000 IU for men and 2,333 IU for women.)
Enchiladas for Meal Prep
Enchiladas make an excellent meal prep recipe. You can make them for the week ahead and reheat them easily in the oven or microwave when it’s time to dine.
Even better: They also freeze well! Simply assemble your sweet potato black bean enchiladas, then cover them with aluminum foil and freeze for up to one month. When you’re ready to eat them, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until heated through.
