Vegan Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake {Oil-Free, Grain-Free}

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.

What a great start to a happy, healthy New Year!

Happy New Year everybody!

Related Posts:

1. 3-Ingredient Vegan Enchilada Soup (high-protein)
2. Sweet Potato Kale Chickpea Flour Frittata {vegan, soy-free}
3. Sweet Potato Almond Flour Cookies {vegan, oil-free}
4. 3-Ingredient Sweet Potato Tortillas {Grain-Free, Vegan}
5. Vegan Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits {Grain-Free, Oil-Free}
6. Stuffed Breakfast Sweet Potatoes {Vegan, 4 ingredients)