Pinto Bean and Kale Enchilada Casserole

Ali Segersten (author) Jul 11, 2021
PINTO BEAN AND KALE ENCHILADAS-4
PINTO BEAN AND KALE ENCHILADAS-1
PINTO BEAN AND KALE ENCHILADAS-2
PINTO BEAN AND KALE ENCHILADAS-3
PINTO BEAN AND KALE ENCHILADAS-5
Difficulty
Average Recipe
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Servings
8

When I first created this layered enchilada casserole, my kitchen was often filled with hungry teenage boys needing a hearty meal. Instead of spending the extra time rolling individual enchiladas, I began layering everything into a baking dish—tortillas, sauce, and filling—creating a simple casserole that delivers all the same comforting flavors with far less effort. This method makes it easy to prepare a generous meal for a crowd or a busy family dinner. The tortillas soften as they bake, soaking up the savory sauce and creating tender layers throughout the dish. It’s the kind of recipe that works beautifully for weeknight cooking or casual gatherings when you want something satisfying and nourishing without a lot of extra steps. Pair this casserole with cabbage slaw and Spanish rice to create a colorful, satisfying meal filled with nourishing plant compounds.

Ingredients

Sauce

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small white onion chopped
6 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cacao powder
1 tablespoons coconut sugar
2 dried ancho chili stems removed
2 dried chipotle chilies stems removed
24 ounces strained tomatoes
1½ cups water
1½ tablespoons arrowroot powder

Filling

2 packages sprouted corn tortillas
4 cups cooked pinto beans drained
4 cups chopped kale
1 bunches cilantro chopped
2 cups grated raw cheddar cheese
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoons sea salt

Topping

1 cups grated raw cheddar cheese