Sweet Potato Black Bean Kale

Featured in: Easy Weeknight Meals

This dish combines roasted sweet potatoes, hearty kale, and protein-rich black beans, layered with zesty enchilada sauce and melted cheese. Prepared entirely in one pan, it's a nourishing and satisfying Mexican-inspired meal perfect for vegetarians. The sweet potatoes and kale are seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika before roasting, then mixed with black beans and rolled in warm tortillas. Baked until bubbly, it’s garnished with fresh cilantro, avocado, and lime for a fresh finish.

Updated on Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:12:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly cheese covers these one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, ready to serve warm. Save
Golden, bubbly cheese covers these one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, ready to serve warm. | olivedune.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.

I first made these enchiladas for a weeknight dinner when I wanted something filling but wholesome. The sweet potatoes turn deliciously tender in the oven, while the black beans and kale create a hearty base that everyone in my family loved.

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 (GF if needed)
  • Shredded cheese: 1½ cups (170 g), cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend
  • Fresh cilantro: chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • Sliced avocado: for garnish (optional)
  • Lime wedges: for garnish (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt: for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the skillet:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
Toss vegetables:
In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, 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 skillet from the oven. Add black beans and ½ cup enchilada sauce, and mix gently.
Warm tortillas:
Warm tortillas briefly in a microwave or 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.
Add sauce and cheese:
Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Bake:
Return skillet to 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.
Smoky flavors burst in these vibrant one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, fresh from the oven. Save
Smoky flavors burst in these vibrant one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, fresh from the oven. | olivedune.com

We love making these for busy family nights. Everyone gets to customize toppings, and the whole pan disappears quickly, so there are rarely leftovers.

Variations

You can swap spinach for kale, add a diced jalapeño for extra heat, or use different types of cheese based on your preference. These enchiladas are very versatile.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these enchiladas with a crisp Mexican lager, light red wine, or a simple side salad. They're also delicious with extra lime juice squeezed on top.

Nutritional Information

Each serving contains about 430 calories, 13 g fat, 64 g carbohydrates, and 15 g protein, making this a satisfying vegetarian meal.

A single pan holds hearty one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, topped with melted cheese and ready to enjoy. Save
A single pan holds hearty one-pan sweet potato, black bean & kale enchiladas, topped with melted cheese and ready to enjoy. | olivedune.com

Make these enchiladas once and they might become your new go-to for lively weeknight dinners. It's a nourishing, flavor-packed main you can feel great about serving.

Cooking Questions & Answers

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes, by substituting dairy cheese with a plant-based alternative or omitting cheese altogether, you can enjoy a vegan version.

What are some good substitutes for kale?

Spinach or Swiss chard work well as alternatives and offer a similar texture and flavor profile.

How do I make these enchiladas gluten-free?

Use certified gluten-free corn or flour tortillas to ensure the dish remains gluten-free.

Can I add heat to this dish?

Yes, adding diced jalapeños or extra chili powder can provide a spicy kick to the flavors.

What sides pair well with this meal?

A crisp Mexican lager or a light red wine complements the rich, roasted flavors beautifully.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Reheat in the oven at a moderate temperature until warmed through to keep the cheese melted and the filling moist.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Kale

Roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and kale baked with enchilada sauce and melted cheese in one pan.

Prep Duration
20 min
Time to Cook
35 min
Overall Duration
55 min
Creator: Clara Moretti


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Mexican-inspired

Serves 4 Portions

Dietary Info Vegetarian-Friendly

What You Need

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 & Seasonings

01 1 tsp ground cumin
02 1 tsp chili powder
03 ½ tsp smoked paprika
04 ½ tsp salt
05 ¼ tsp black pepper
06 2 tbsp 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

Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare skillet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish.

Step 02

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

Step 03

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

Step 04

Add beans and sauce to vegetables: Remove skillet from oven. Stir in black beans and half a cup of enchilada sauce to the roasted vegetables gently.

Step 05

Warm tortillas: Warm tortillas briefly in a microwave or dry pan to make them pliable.

Step 06

Assemble enchiladas: Spoon approximately one-third cup of filling onto each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the skillet atop remaining filling.

Step 07

Add sauce and cheese: Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas and sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.

Step 08

Bake enchiladas: Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 09

Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges, and a dollop of sour cream. Serve warm.

Essential Tools

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

Allergy Notice

Always review each component for allergens, and reach out to medical experts if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy; use dairy-free cheese for vegan or allergy-friendly versions.
  • May contain gluten if using flour tortillas; substitute with certified gluten-free tortillas as needed.

Nutrition Breakdown (each portion)

These details are for general advice—please consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance.
  • Energy (kcal): 430
  • Lipids: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Proteins: 15 g