Admit it mama, it’s hard to make meal plans.
We’ve all been there at some point: staring at a blank piece of paper, trying to conjure up meal ideas like they are some sort of magic spell, scanning…scanning…scanning pinterest or exhausting google search engines until our brain feels like liquid mush, only to space out for 20 minutes before zoning back to THE SAME BLANK PIECE OF PAPER!?!? (anger rising) , until FINALLY scribbling a passable list of what you hope is both cost effective and actually edible?
I’m tired just thinking about it. Seriously, grab me a hand fan.
When I’m in this sort of pickle (it happens!), I try to remember my best ally in meal planning world, which is: simplicity, followed by Mexican as a close second. Which is why today, I’m sharing these EASY vegan enchiladas.
Vegan enchiladas that are not only cheap, but healthy too
With a dinner like this, not only are you checking off EASY on your meal planning requirements, but you are also hitting your mark on COST.
Yams, lentils, tortillas, and tomato sauce are all things that can be purchased for practically pennies when compared to “healthy” processed dinners, fleshy and dairy ingredients, and/or takeout.
The best part? They are actually healthy: Yams are a good source of vitamin B6, rich in antioxidants, plus are great for your skin, hair, digestion, blood flow, and even bowel movements (no shame here yo!). Lentils on the other hand, are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain minerals that are good for your heart, muscle generation, digestion, and your nervous system.
Make your weeknight meal plan a snap with these fool-proof vegan enchiladas.
Basically, in not so many words, lentils and yams are the power couple you should be taking advantage of.
So back to solving that meal plan crisis. When these two make an appearance on your weekly meal plan, aim to make a couple meals during the week that incorporate their powers, since you can buy both in bulk and get the most bang for your buck.
So mama, seriously, stop beating yourself in the face with your grocery list (turns out it doesn’t make your brain work faster). Instead, hop on board the yam and lentil express and ride it all the way to GET IN MUH BELLY town. *ahem*
You’re welcome.
Get healthy while saving money at the same time: yams and lentils do your body good while keeping the cost down.
Allergy-Info & Substitutions
- These enchiladas are 100% vegan, meaning they are meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. They are also naturally soy-free and nut-free.
- Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free flour tortillas.
- Switch up your filling by using refried beans instead of lentils, or go off the tracks and create your own perfect filling.
- Don’t want to use tomato sauce? Smother them with vegan cheese instead.
- For another easy weeknight dinner, check out these Jamaican tacos with mango salsa by clicking here.
- For another lentil-based weeknight dinner, try my ULTIMATE lentil sloppy joes by clicking here.
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Enchiladas always make the best weeknight dinners! This week, serve up some healthy vegan enchiladas, which uses yams and lentils as the filling. Takes only 10 min prep time and 30 min to bake!
Yam & Lentil Vegan Enchiladas
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 large yams about 3 ½ C, diced
- 2 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon ground chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander powder
- 1 C vegetable or "Not-Chicken" broth
- 1 ½ C cooked brown lentils
- ¼ C enchilada sauce recipe below
Enchilada Sauce:
- 3 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast optional, although it adds a lovely "cheddar" flavor
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric optional
- 2 teaspoon ground chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- 15 oz tomato sauce
Extras:
- 10 flour tortillas
- Chopped cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, saute onions, garlic, and yams in oil of choice for 3-5 minutes, until onions start to soften. Add ground spices, and cook an additional 2 minutes. Pour in broth, stir, and cover with a lid, cooking until yams are soft, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, begin enchilada sauce. Heat oil of choice in a small saucepan for 2 minutes. In a small bowl, combine nutritional yeast (if using), cornstarch, ground spices, and pink salt.
- After oil is heated, stir this mixture into hot oil. This should create a thick bubbly paste, also known as a roux, which will help thicken up your enchilada sauce. Heat this roux for no longer than 2 minutes, and then add your tomato sauce. You should hear your oil make a frying sound when you add the tomatoes. Stir, and remove from heat.
- Once the yams are cooked all the way through, it's time to add ¼ C of that delicious enchilada sauce to your filling mixture. Stir it in and remove the filling mixture from heat.
- To assemble, spread about ¼ C of filling onto a flour tortilla- roll and place in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. I usually line up about 10 in my dish, with each enchilada slightly overlapping the last.
- Once your pan is filled, pour remaining enchilada sauce over your stuffed tortillas. Bake at 350º for about 10-15 minutes, until the edges of the tortillas turn golden brown. Top with fresh cilantro, if desired.
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Thank you for taking the time to invest in your health and happiness!
kimmythevegan
Ahahaha yes! I totally dread meal planning day. And I try and just quickly get through it, sometimes it works out pretty well, but other times, I have “spaghetti” written on there twice… and frozen pizza. Ugh.
This sounds so good!!! And simple! Best combo ever. Totally going to try this out. I actually have all of the ingredients on hand, so maybe even this week!
Randi Tisdall
LOL, yes! Spaghetti is the ultimate last resort meal lol! I hope you get a chance to make these enchiladas- they are so yummy!
Deborah Davis
This is my idea of delectable plant-based comfort food. I can’t wait to make Yam & Lentil Vegan Enchiladas. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Plant-based Potluck Party! I’m pinning and sharing.
Randi Tisdall
Thank you Deborah! I appreciate the share- I know you will enjoy these!
Leanna
Mexican meals are fantastic. Love this recipe with the yams in it. I know that currants aren’t mexican, but I think they would be delicious in here as well. Pinning as this filling has all kinds of different possibilities Randi. Thanks for the recipe.
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Leanna! You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever had currants in something like this, but you have peaked my curiosity lol, so I think I’ll have to try that out soon! Thanks so much for pinning and sharing- you are awesome!
Amber Harrop
They look like some tasty enchiladas Randi , I must try these on my lot 🙂
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Amber! I hope your family enjoys them!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama
Oh, yum! And how funny, because I just wrote a post today on enchiladas! We stick sweet potato and beans in them all the time, but I’ve never thought to add in lentils — pinning to try the next time!
Randi Tisdall
Thanks so much for pinning Lisa! I love using lentils to switch things up a bit- it gives the enchiladas a nice texture. I’ll have to pop on over to see your version:)
Mary Ellen | VNutrition
These look delicous Randi! I’m totally trying these soon. I’ve had such a craving for Mexican food lately!
Randi Tisdall
Thanks Mary Ellen!! I’m pretty much always craving Mexican food lol. Hope you enjoy them!