Description
A hearty and flavorful Sweet Potato Black Bean Casserole that combines tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and vibrant spices layered with tortillas and cheese, baked to a golden perfection. This vegetarian dish is perfect for a comforting meal served with mashed avocado, sour cream, and salsa.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Beans
- 1 large sweet potato
- 14 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 14 oz can chopped tomatoes
- ½ medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- Fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Mashed avocado (for serving)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup salsa (divided)
- 2-4 tortillas
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Olive oil spray (for baking dish)
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Place the whole sweet potato with peel on a plate with some water and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes until tender. Let it cool, then peel and cut into cubes.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Spray an 8"x8" baking dish with olive oil and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced sweet potato, drained black beans, chopped tomatoes, finely chopped onion, chopped red bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Layer Base: Spread ½ cup of salsa evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Tear tortillas as needed to cover the bottom layer.
- Add First Filling Layer: Spread about two-thirds of the sweet potato and bean mixture evenly over the tortilla layer.
- Add Salsa Layer: Spread the remaining ½ cup of salsa over the first filling layer.
- Add Second Tortilla Layer: Cover the salsa with another layer of torn tortillas.
- Add Remaining Filling: Spread the remaining sweet potato and bean mixture on top of the tortilla layer and level it out evenly.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve warm with mashed avocado, sour cream, and additional salsa on the side.
Notes
- The number of tortillas can be adjusted based on the size and layers desired.
- Use gluten-free tortillas if a gluten-free version is needed.
- Microwaving the sweet potato speeds up cooking, but you can also roast it in the oven if preferred.
- For a spicier casserole, add extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Cheddar cheese can be substituted with a vegan cheese alternative to make the dish vegan-friendly.