Vegan enchiladas have a reputation for being bland, but with the right combination of ingredients, they can truly shine. The key is to find creative ways to use plant-based cheese, which can add a rich and creamy texture to your dishes.
Imagine mixing it with jalapeños, vegan ‘meat’, black beans, and other bold flavors. It’s a match made in heaven! This list showcases 23 mouth-watering vegan enchilada recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From classic tortilla-based dishes to casseroles and soups, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just starting out, these easy plant-based ideas will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.
Gluten-Free Lentil & Onion
Lentils are a staple in my kitchen due to their impressive trifecta of nutritional benefits, culinary versatility, and mouthwatering flavor profile. This recipe showcases their incredible ability to absorb flavors, rendering the traditional meat filling redundant. Simply cook the lentils with an array of spices that highlight their unique characteristics.
Tofu, Black Bean & Bell Peppers
For this recipe, we’ll be working with regular tofu, which is often criticized for its lack of flavor – but that’s exactly what makes it perfect for our purposes. We’ll be creating a tofu scramble by combining it with black beans, red bell pepper, and spinach, effectively masking any potential blandness. Meanwhile, instead of relying on traditional cheese, we’ll top our enchiladas with a layer of creamy, fresh avocado, adding a richness and depth that’s sure to satisfy.
Skillet Corn & Cauliflower Rice
By modifying a classic chicken enchilada recipe, we can create an even healthier and equally delicious version by substituting chicken with black beans and frozen corn. To take it to the next level, swap traditional rice for riced cauliflower, which mimics the texture of rice without its starchy content. The result is a low-carb yet satisfying meal option.
Tortilla & Dairy-Free Cheese
This mouthwatering plant-based casserole is a veritable feast of flavors, packed with an assortment of vegetables, melted vegan cheese, and the optional addition of tender vegan chicken. The star of the show is undoubtedly the homemade Trader Joe-style enchilada sauce, which adds a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. While it may seem complex at first glance, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.
Tomato Enchilada Lasagna
Looking for a delicious vegan dish to impress your family at the next gathering? Look no further than this mouth-watering vegan lasagna recipe! The best part is that you can make the homemade sauce from scratch in just a few minutes using simple ingredients like chili, cumin, chopped tomatoes, garlic, and gluten-free flour. Simply combine these with some oil and water, add a pinch of salt and you’ll have a tasty sauce ready to go. Plus, it’s easy to assemble the lasagna itself by layering your favorite vegan ingredients – just be sure to check out our recipe for more details! And don’t forget to serve it up with a side of fresh bread or garlic knots for an unforgettable meal.
Instant Pot Enchilada Soup
In just 25 minutes, you can savor the rich flavors of this quick and easy vegan instant pot soup. Begin by combining quinoa, mushrooms, beans or lentils, and walnuts in your pressure cooker with a sprinkle of enchilada seasoning. Note that while walnuts add a delightful crunch to the dish, they are not essential – simply omit them if you prefer. The result is a nutritious and delicious meal that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Zucchini & Cauliflower Florets
Crafting this delectable condiment requires mere minutes of your time, as it’s comprised of just two essential ingredients: cashews and canned green chilies. The simplicity of the recipe is truly remarkable, with no more than a few vegetables and beans needed to bring it all together. With a prep time of only 10 minutes, you can quickly add this flavor-packed addition to your repertoire.
Buffalo Jackfruit
For this recipe, we’ll be revisiting the delightful combination of green enchilada sauce and jackfruit. The harmonious pairing creates a flavorful dish that’s not only delicious but also relatively quick to prepare. If you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying meal option, give it a try!
Green Chili & White Beans
A recurring thread throughout this collection of recipes is the prominent appearance of green chili. Its versatility allows it to shine as a mainstay in various meal scenarios, from a satisfying lunch to a hearty dinner or even a convenient work lunch option. This particular recipe variation showcases its ease of preparation by incorporating three cans of white beans, making for a straightforward and delicious dish.
Sweet Potato & Black Bean
What sets these enchiladas apart from the rest is the incorporation of sweet potatoes, which adds a natural sweetness and makes them incredibly filling. When combined with protein-rich beans and vegan meat, these enchiladas become an excellent choice for anyone seeking a nutritious lunch option. Plus, the recipe is easily scalable – if you don’t need 10 enchiladas, simply halve the ingredients to suit your needs. Check out the full recipe here.
Enchilada Tortilla Pizza
After a long day of work, there’s nothing like unwinding with a simple yet satisfying evening. So, put down that phone and get ready for a culinary treat. These pizza enchiladas are incredibly quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish – that’s even shorter than the time it would take for a delivery driver to arrive at your doorstep.
Salsa Verde & Portobello Mushroom
While the option to make your own salsa verde from scratch is always appealing, it’s also perfectly fine to purchase a jar if time is of the essence. After all, the key to a great salsa verde lies in the unique flavor profile that can be tailored to individual taste preferences. If you’re looking to add an extra kick to your dish, the green tomatillos used in this recipe are the secret ingredient that will give it that sought-after tanginess.
Sweet Potato Puree & Turmeric
The incorporation of sliced almonds on top of the enchiladas not only adds a delightful textural contrast but also harmonizes beautifully with the accompanying sauce. In a unique twist, this recipe eschews traditional salsa toppings in favor of a rich and creamy tahini, garlic, and lemon sauce, imbuing the dish with a velvety finish.
Sweet Potato Enchilada Lasagna
If you’re over the monotony of rolled-up tortillas or find the process too messy, consider a creative twist on traditional lasagna. This recipe swaps pasta layers for tender tortillas and a flavorful enchilada filling, marrying Italian cooking techniques with the bold flavors of Mexico. Experience the delightful fusion by checking out this unique take on a classic dish.
Kidney Bean & Sweet Potato Bake
The secret to success in this recipe lies in carefully slicing the sweet potato into extremely thin strips, ensuring even cooking throughout. If you have access to a mandoline slicer, it’s an ideal tool for this recipe, as the sweet potatoes will serve as the tortilla base. What’s more, this dish provides a sneaky way to incorporate vegetables into your kids’ meals without them noticing – a win-win for parents and children alike.
BBQ Jackfruit, Kale & Black Bean
While the jackfruit may appear unusually moist at first glance, rest assured that its presence in the skillet with kale and black beans will result in a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. As the ingredients meld together, the jackfruit’s natural moisture will be absorbed, eliminating any concerns about sogginess or overpowering brininess. Paired with a slice of creamy avocado on the side, this dish is sure to please.
Portobello Mushroom & Ancho Chile Sauce
To elevate this vegan enchilada recipe to new heights, we’re incorporating the robust flavor and meaty texture of Portobello mushrooms. When combined with the black beans, these ‘shrooms will convincingly mimic the presence of meat, making for a truly satisfying and hearty dish. Meanwhile, the rich sauce is crafted using four carefully selected guajillo and ancho chilies, which infuse the recipe with a delightful depth of flavor and a touch of spice.
Gluten-Free Tortilla & Red Onion
For a convenient and speedy dinner solution, the recipe recommends utilizing canned enchilada sauce as a foundation. However, adventurous cooks can also opt for the provided homemade sauce link. If you find the flavor profile doesn’t quite meet your expectations, consider adding some depth with ancho chilies or paprika to give it an extra boost. You can explore these options and more by checking out the recipe itself.
Extra Firm Tofu & Avocado
If sweet potatoes aren’t your thing, don’t worry! This recipe offers a delicious alternative using tofu as its foundation. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility – you can season the tofu to your heart’s content. If time is of the essence, a store-bought taco seasoning blend will do the trick, or feel free to whip up a custom blend combining chili powder, cumin, onion powder, Mexican oregano, and garlic powder for added depth of flavor.
