Recipe: Roasted Squash, Corn, and Black Bean Enchiladas
Serves4
There are some enchiladas that are pure over-the-top indulgences, oozing with cheese at every turn. These are not those enchiladas. You’ll certainly find gooey, melty cheese in every bite, but this version comes with a more wholesome twist and is all about the veggies.
These family-friendly enchiladas are packed with sweet roasted butternut squash, tender corn, and smoky black beans, and then topped with a super-simple, ultra-fresh green salad.
Meal Prep Is a Friend to These Enchiladas
It is no secret that I am a huge fan of meal prep, and to varying degrees it is a regular part of my weekend. Whether I have two hours to spare, or even just 20 minutes, meal prep makes such a helpful and positive impact on the week ahead, in what and how I eat. There are certain meals that benefit from meal prep more than others, and this is one of them. When you make the sauce and roast the squash in advance, this becomes a meatless miracle meal that requires no more than some assembly and 20 minutes in the oven.
Want to make it even easier? Save some time by starting with pre-cut butternut squash. And if time feels tight, skip making the enchilada sauce and buy your favorite store-bought option instead — the enchiladas will be just as good.
The Freshest Way to Top Your Enchiladas
Inspired by the blog Brooklyn Supper, my favorite trick to make any plate of enchiladas feel fresh is to top them with a super-simple salad. This trio of greens, sliced red onions, and cilantro is dressed with a squeeze of lime juice and comes together in a flash while the enchiladas cook. I’m partial to arugula here, but spinach, romaine, mixed greens, or even finely sliced kale will work nicely.
Roasted Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the enchilada sauce (optional):
- 2 tablespoons
canola or vegetable oil
- 1/2
medium red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons
all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup
chili powder
- 1 tablespoon
tomato paste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
garlic powder (no salt)
- 1 teaspoon
ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon
dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups
low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
For the enchiladas:
- 1 pound
butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon
olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1
(15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup
frozen corn kernels, thawed
- 10
(8-inch) flour tortillas
- 2 1/2 cups
shredded Monterey Jack or mild cheddar cheese (12 ounces), divided
- 4 ounces
salad greens, like baby spinach, arugula, or shredded lettuce
- 1/2
medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup
fresh cilantro leaves
Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
Make the sauce: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, stir to coat the onions, and cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast the flour.
Stir in the chili powder, tomato paste, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the broth. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
Make the enchiladas: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F.
Toss the squash with the olive oil and salt, and arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tender and caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
Place the roasted squash, black beans, and corn in a large bowl, and stir to combine. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in an even layer over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
To assemble the enchiladas, place the tortillas on a flat work surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of sauce over the top of each tortilla, then top with 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture and about 2 tablespoons of cheese. Roll tightly to close, and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Spread the remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, place the greens, sliced red onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium bowl and toss to combine.
Divide the enchiladas between plates, top with greens, and serve.
Recipe Notes
Store-bought enchilada sauce: If not making enchilada sauce, use 2 cups of store-bought sauce.
Make ahead: The sauce can be made up to a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat on the stovetop before preparing the enchiladas. The squash can be roasted up to 1 day in advance.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.