Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

Featured in: Southwest Spice

This wholesome dish combines tender roasted sweet potatoes, hearty black beans, and fresh kale in a zesty sauce. Layers of warm tortillas and melted cheese create a comforting meal all baked together in one pan. Easy to prepare and full of vibrant flavors, it's perfect for a nourishing weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Updated on Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:03:00 GMT
One-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas baking with bubbly cheese, a delicious, layered main dish. Save
One-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas baking with bubbly cheese, a delicious, layered main dish. | dashofstates.com

A vibrant, nourishing twist on classic enchiladas, featuring roasted sweet potatoes, protein-rich black beans, and hearty kale, all baked together in one pan with zesty enchilada sauce and melty cheese.

The first time I made these enchiladas, I was looking for a colorful weeknight dinner that everyone could customize. We loved how the sweet potatoes roasted perfectly and the black beans added just the right amount of heartiness—even the kale got devoured! Now it's a staple when we want something cozy but still healthy.

Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes: 2 medium, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
  • Kale: 2 cups chopped, tough stems removed
  • Red onion: 1 small, diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Black beans: 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can, drained and rinsed
  • Ground cumin: 1 tsp
  • Chili powder: 1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
  • Salt: ½ tsp
  • Black pepper: ¼ tsp
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Enchilada sauce: 2 cups (480 ml), store-bought or homemade
  • Corn or flour tortillas: 8 small (gluten-free if needed)
  • Shredded cheese: 1½ cups (170 g), cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
  • Garnishes (optional): Fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges, sour cream or Greek yogurt

Instructions

Prepare oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
Mix vegetables and spices:
In a large bowl, toss the diced sweet potatoes, chopped kale, red onion, and garlic with olive oil, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well coated.
Roast vegetables:
Spread the vegetable mixture evenly in the skillet. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until sweet potatoes are just tender.
Add beans and sauce:
Remove the skillet from the oven. Add black beans and ½ cup enchilada sauce to the vegetables and mix gently.
Warm tortillas:
Warm the tortillas briefly (microwave or in a dry pan) to make them pliable.
Assemble enchiladas:
Spoon about ⅓ cup filling onto each tortilla, roll up, and nestle seam-side down in the skillet on top of the remaining filling.
Top and bake:
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Final bake:
Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and serve:
Garnish with cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, and a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Serve warm.
This one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas dish features brightly colored vegetables and melted cheese aromas. Save
This one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas dish features brightly colored vegetables and melted cheese aromas. | dashofstates.com

We love serving enchiladas for casual family dinners—everyone can pick their favorite toppings. Sharing them straight from the skillet sparks laughter and seconds at our table!

Notes & Swaps

Spinach works perfectly in place of kale if you prefer a milder green. Adding diced jalapeno will give more heat, while using dairy-free cheese keeps this recipe vegan.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy from cheese and gluten in flour tortillas. For vegan or gluten-free needs, be sure to choose suitable alternatives and always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 430. Total Fat: 13 g. Carbohydrates: 64 g. Protein: 15 g. Nutrition may vary based on chosen cheese and tortillas.

Warm, hearty sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, ready to serve with fresh cilantro and creamy toppings. Save
Warm, hearty sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, ready to serve with fresh cilantro and creamy toppings. | dashofstates.com

These colorful enchiladas taste best fresh from the oven—don't forget those zesty toppings for even more flavor!

Recipe FAQ

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes, replace the cheese with a dairy-free alternative or omit it altogether for a vegan-friendly version.

What can I substitute for kale?

Spinach or Swiss chard work well as alternatives, offering a similar texture and flavor.

How do I add extra heat to the dish?

Incorporate diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the vegetable mixture before baking.

Are corn tortillas gluten-free?

Yes, corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but always check packaging if purchasing store-bought.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Assemble the layers in the pan and refrigerate before baking. Bake when ready for a fresh, hot meal.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

Roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, kale, and cheese baked together with zesty enchilada sauce.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created by Jordan Miller


Complexity Easy

Heritage Mexican-inspired

Output 4 Portions

Nutritional considerations Meat-free

Components

Vegetables

01 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
02 2 cups chopped kale, tough stems removed
03 1 small red onion, diced
04 2 cloves garlic, minced

Beans

01 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

Spices and Seasonings

01 1 teaspoon ground cumin
02 1 teaspoon chili powder
03 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
04 ½ teaspoon salt
05 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
06 2 tablespoons olive oil

Assembly

01 2 cups enchilada sauce (store-bought or homemade)
02 8 small corn or flour tortillas (gluten-free if needed)
03 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

Garnishes (optional)

01 Fresh cilantro, chopped
02 Sliced avocado
03 Lime wedges
04 Sour cream or Greek yogurt

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.

Phase 02

Season Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine diced sweet potatoes, chopped kale, diced red onion, and minced garlic. Toss with olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

Phase 03

Roast Vegetables: Spread the vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared skillet. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Phase 04

Combine Beans and Sauce: Remove skillet from oven. Stir in black beans and ½ cup of enchilada sauce gently into the roasted vegetables.

Phase 05

Warm Tortillas: Briefly warm tortillas in the microwave or a dry skillet to make them pliable.

Phase 06

Assemble Enchiladas: Spoon about ⅓ cup filling onto each tortilla. Roll up and arrange seam-side down on top of the remaining filling in the skillet.

Phase 07

Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Phase 08

Bake Enchiladas: Return skillet to oven and bake for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Phase 09

Garnish and Serve: Top with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt as desired. Serve warm.

Necessary tools

  • Large oven-safe skillet or baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Spoon or spatula

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from cheese; use dairy-free alternatives for allergy-friendly or vegan versions.
  • Contains gluten if flour tortillas are used; opt for certified gluten-free tortillas if necessary.

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

These figures are approximate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Energy: 430
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Proteins: 15 g