Easy Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole. Layered with black beans, corn, green chilies, enchilada sauce and corn tortillas! This is an easy vegetarian meal the whole family will love! Ready in 40 minutes or less!
Looking for more Mexican Inspired Recipes? Try my King Ranch Chicken or my One Pan Mexican Chicken Rice Bake!
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Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
I’ve been making this Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole at least once a week. It’s super easy to throw together and it tastes amazing! I use a store bought enchilada sauce to save time but you could always make your own enchilada sauce at home!
This Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole is layered with black beans, green chiles, corn and lots of cheese. I start by cutting all of the corn tortillas in half. This helps when cutting the casserole as well as making sure the whole pan gets covered with tortillas.
ingredients
- Onion: Use diced yellow or red onion!
- Enchilada sauce: You can use either store bought or homemade! I prefer to use the hot enchilada sauce. If you don’t want it as spicy opt for the mild or medium!
- Corn: Fresh or frozen corn can be used.
- Black beans: Are rinsed and drained then added to the casserole. Pinto beans can also be used.
- Green chilies: Don’t worry about these adding heat they are very mild and have a great flavor.
- Shredded cheese: I like using the 4 cheese Mexican blend. However pepper jack, Monterey jack, cheddar or Colby jack can all be used. Or do a mix of all four!
- Corn tortillas: Are cut in half and layered between the filling. You can also use flour tortillas!
- Optional for topping: Black olives, fresh chopped cilantro, sour cream or greek yogurt, diced red onion.
how to make this vegetarian enchilada casserole
- Saute vegetables: Heat oil in a medium skillet and add in the onion. Sauté until tender 3-4 minutes, set aside.
- Assemble: Spread a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.
- Then start by layering 1/3 of the tortillas, half of the onions, half of the beans, half of the corn, half of the green chilies, 1/3 of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese.
- Repeat with a layer of 1/3 of the tortillas and the remaining half of the beans, corn and green chilies. Spread 1/3 of the enchilada sauce on top and sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese. Layer on the remaining tortillas, sauce and cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake: in a 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is warmed through. Serve with fresh cilantro, black olives, sour cream and extra enchilada sauce on the side!!
kelley’s tips
- Add more veggies! Sweet potatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini would all be delicious in vegetarian enchilada casserole recipe. I love to use fresh corn in this recipe if it’s in season. If not frozen corn works just as well!
- For extra heat add in diced jalapeno or chipotle powder!
- Add some protein! To make this a one pan meal add in shredded Mexican chicken or shredded barbaco beef
What to serve with this Enchilada Casserole
- Side salad
- Homemade tortilla chips
- Guacamole
- Creamy confetti corn
- Roasted veggies
- Avocado Corn Black Bean Salsa
- Barbacoa Beef
- Shredded Mexican Chicken
- Spanish Rice
Optional Toppings
I always tend to go a little crazy with my toppings. (See my king ranch chicken) Here are some of my favorite things to top this casserole with:
- Guacamole
- Sour cream or greek yogurt for a lighter option
- Pico de gallo
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced red onion / sliced radish
- Sliced avocado
- Sliced or pickled jalapeños
- Black olives
- Green onions
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- To store: This black bean enchilada casserole simply place leftovers in the refrigerator covered for 3-4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet or the oven. You may have to add a splash of water or more enchilada sauce to keep the casserole from drying out in the skillet or oven.
- To freeze: This casserole is super freezer friendly. In fact it’s a great meal to make two of and place the second on directly into the freezer (unbaked or baked totally up to you!) You can also freeze individual portions! To reheat this casserole from frozen simply allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake as directed.
Here are more Mexican Recipes to enjoy!
- Easy Enchilada Rice
- Mexican Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas
- Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Creamy Confetti Corn
Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups corn
- 1 can, 15.5 ounce black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can green chiles
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
- 16 corn tortillas, cut in half
- olives for serving, if desired
- cilantro for serving, if desired
- sour cream for serving, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Meanwhile heat oil in a medium skillet and add in the onion and bell peppers. Sauté until tender 3-4 minutes. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute then set aside.
- Spread a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.
- To assemble start by layering 1/3 of the tortillas, half of the onions, half of the beans, half of the corn, half of the green chilies, 1/3 of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese.
- Repeat with a layer of 1/3 of the tortillas and the remaining half of the beans, corn and green chilies. Spread 1/3 of the enchilada sauce on top and sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese.
- Layer on the remaining tortillas, sauce and cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is warmed through.Serve immediately with olives, cilantro, sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
I’d love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don’t forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Bec
It looks a great recipe for every week! My kids would love this!
Kelley
Thank you Bec!!
Keara
Easy and delicious! I love this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Kelley
So glad you like it! Thanks so much!
Dana A.
Made this last night…it’s very different than what I typically cook. It was pretty easy and my entire family liked it. Excellent recipe!
Kelley
So glad you enjoyed this! Thank you!!
becky
i really want to try this but can’t find canned green chillies?
Kelley
Hi Becky,
You can make this without the green chilies!
Hope you enjoy!
Kelley
maureen
baking time is waayyyy off. casserole has been in 400 oven for over 45 minutes and is cold in center. And i halved the recipes using a 9 inch square pan.
Kelley
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for the feedback. I went ahead and updated the recipe to include a longer baking time.
Thanks!
Kelley
Christina
Can you freeze this for later. Make ahead meal
Kelley Simmons
Hi Christina,
Yes this dish freezes really well! Simply make as directed and freeze unbaked for best results!
Hope you enjoy!
Kelley
Ki
This is so good. I added sweet red peppers to the vegetable list. I also added rotisserie chicken to half of the casserole for hubby’s sake. I did serve with the olives and some sliced jalapeno peppers on top. About 30 minutes worked for me. Really tasty! Thank you.
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoyed this recipe thank you! All of your additions sound yummy!