Name: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 12 oz. sweet potato (peeled and shredded, about 1 medium); 15 oz. black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed); 20 corn tortillas (6" size); 20 oz. red enchilada sauce; 8 oz. sharp cheddar (shredded); 1 tsp cumin (ground); 1 tbsp. chili powder; ½ tsp kosher salt; cilantro, lime wedges, sour cream, or guacamole for garnish (optional)

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Oh! Hey there, you lovely dish of cozy, stacked Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas! I love your crispy edges, your hearty filling, and your no-fuss prep. You are popular with kids and adults alike, gluten-free, and vegetarian. Am I talking to enchiladas? Yes, yes I am. I talk to all of my favorite things like this. I think my cats are a little better at responding, though. Once you try this recipe, I think you'll add these enchiladas to your favorite things list, too. They are perfect family dinner fare and easy to make ahead for busy weeknights. A stacked enchilada casserole is so much easier than individually rolled enchiladas, so these take only about 20 minutes to be oven-ready.

Serve these enchiladas up with a glass of Cucumber Jalapeno Lemonade for a sweet treat! Or try this frozen burrito casserole next time.

A serving of enchilada on a wood plate sits alongside the baking dish. Garnishes like lime wedges and guacamole are next to the baking dish.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

Ingredients for Black Bean and Sweet Potato Stacked Enchiladas are arranged on a black surface.

Sweet Potato: A medium potato is plenty for this recipe. You can peel it and shred it on the side of a box grater or with a food processor.

Black Beans: Here we are again with this family staple! Be sure to drain and rinse the beans before adding to the recipe.

Corn Tortillas: Use taco-sized tortillas, about 6" in diameter. They bake up soft and make the layers in these stacked enchiladas.

Enchilada Sauce: Choose a brand and spice level that suits your family's tastes. I find they have quite a range of spice, even with "mild" labels. My kids aren't very tolerant of spice, so once I identify a good one I tend to be brand loyal.

Shredded Cheese: I like sharp cheddar in these, but a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack will all be good substitutes.

Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, and Kosher Salt: These spices add a little extra flavor to the beans and sweet potato. See my Vegan Chili Mac recipe post for details on chili powder.

Guacamole, Sour Cream, Limes, and Cilantro: The garnish is half of the fun at our dinner table, so add anything you think will be good on top of your enchiladas. My kids are partial to a big scoop of guacamole.

Preparation

Prepare all of your fillings first and the rest of the assembly takes only minutes. I found in developing this recipe that the sweet potato, even when shredded, took so long to cook in the casserole that it needed a head start. I think the easiest way to get it cooked a bit but not turn it into a mush is to steam the shreds in the microwave for a few minutes with a tablespoon of water. Once it's steamed, you can toss the spices, salt, and beans in with the sweet potato to flavor everything at once.

Grease your 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray and start with a thin layer of enchilada sauce. Use 5 tortillas to line the bottom of the dish, tearing them as needed for good coverage. Then, add about a third of the bean mixture over the tortillas and a quarter of the cheese on top of the beans. Spoon about one quarter of the enchilada sauce over everything and you've completed one layer. Check it out, below.

One layer of stacked enchiladas is demonstrated in a white baking dish on a black surface.

Repeat this layering 2 more times. At the end, cover with the last 5 tortillas, the remaining sauce, and the remaining cheese. Cover the casserole with a sheet of foil and bake it for 30 minutes. Pro tip: if you spray the foil before laying it over the enchiladas the cheese won't stick to the foil! Once the enchiladas have cooked for 30 minutes, remove the foil and cook 15 minutes more, until the cheese is golden and Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas are bubbly. Remove them from the oven and give them about 5 minutes to cool before slicing.

The finished casserole dish of Black Bean and Sweet Potato Stacked Enchiladas sits on a black and white textile background.

Serving Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

We like to garnish the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or chopped cilantro. Everyone likes a different combination of toppings, so I tend to leave a variety of options out on the table for a little customization. The enchiladas are great for a make-ahead option. I have made them the night before and kept the dish covered in the refrigerator for baking the next day. I always leave the dish out on the counter to warm to room temp while the oven is heating so that the oven temperature doesn't shock the baking dish and cause breakage.

Leftovers can be stored for a couple of days and I find that the microwave is the best way to reheat them. These are actually really good for breakfast the next day if you cut them into small pieces and reheat them in a pan before scrambling a couple of eggs into the mix. It's sort of a cheater chilaquiles situation, and it's terrific.

An up close photo of a serving of enchilada on a wooden plate shows the layers and texture.

I hope you try these Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas and share the recipe with family or friends. I want to see your results! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.

I love the combination of sweet potato and beans in a hearty meal. If you're a fan too, try Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowls with Chicken and Citrus Herb Sauce or Baked Sweet Potato and Soyrizo Tacos.