VEGAN ENCHILADAS WITH LENTILS
VEGAN ENCHILADAS RECIPE WITH LENTILS
Can we please take a moment to appreciate these protein-rich vegan enchiladas? They were a big hit in my house and I can’t wait to make them again, because they are super yummy! Not only are they delicious but they are also rich in protein, gluten-free, plant-based, nut-free, and they contain only wholesome ingredients. Did your mouth start watering already?
LENTIL ENCHILADAS
You might ask why I used lentils to make these vegan enchiladas. Well, I love lentils, they are an amazing source of healthy protein and contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For example, lentils are rich in folate, copper, manganese, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Vegan enchiladas
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook/Chill Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Course: Main Course
Servings: 12 enchiladas
Ingredients
12 tortillas (22 cm in diameter)
Easy vegan cheese sauce or vegan cheese to taste
Enchilada filling:
1 cup dry lentils (200 g) *see recipe notes
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (600 ml)
1 cup sunflower seeds (140 g) *see recipe notes
1 1/3 cup rolled oats (GF if needed) (120 g) *see recipe notes
3 heaped tbsp tomato paste (120 g)
2 bell peppers
1 medium-sized carrot, grated
1 medium-sized tomato, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax seeds
spice mix: 1/2 tbsp onion powder, 1/2 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika
1-2 hot chili peppers, chopped (or less if you don't like it too spicy)
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp oil to fry the veggies
Enchilada sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp gluten-free flour (or all-purpose flour if not GF)
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (600 g)
spice mix: 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any dirt and place them in a medium-sized pot. Add broth and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer with a lid on for about 20 minutes (or until tender). Then remove the pot from the heat but keep covered for a further 10 minutes.
While the lentils cook, prepare your enchilada sauce first and then start making the enchilada filling. To make the enchilada sauce, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add all spices and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in the flour, and cook for another minute. Add the tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Let simmer until the sauce is thick, approximately 5 minutes.
To make the enchilada filling: In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onion + garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chopped bell peppers, tomato, grated carrot, and 1-2 hot chili peppers and sauté for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Add all dry ingredients (spices, salt + pepper, the oats, the sunflower seeds, and the ground chia seeds) into a food processor and blend for about 20-30 seconds.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Add the cooked veggies and the tomato paste, and blend again.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Finally, add the cooked lentils and blend until everything is combined. The mixture should stick together and the texture should look like in the pics below. If the mixture isn't thick enough or doesn't stick together, then add more ground oats.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Preheat oven to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C).
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Spread 2 heaped tablespoons (100-120 g) of enchilada filling over the surface of a tortilla.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Roll up the tortilla and place in a greased baking dish.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Repeat this step with the other tortillas.
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Then pour the enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas. I made two layers of 4 tortillas each (7 x 11 in baking dish) but you can make just one layer with 8 tortillas. The filling is enough for 12 tortillas, so you could also make more than 8 (depending on the size of your baking dish).
These protein-rich vegan enchiladas are made with lentils and other wholesome ingredients. They are gluten-free, plant-based, healthy, easy to make, nut-free, perfect for lunch or dinner and very tasty.
Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, pour my easy vegan cheese sauce on top (or use your favorite vegan cheese to taste), and put the enchiladas back into the oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or greens of choice (optional). You can also pour a little bit of vegan sour cream on top if desired.
Recipe Notes
I typically use brown lentils which cook in about 20-25 minutes.
You can use other seeds or nuts (e.g. walnuts) instead of sunflower seeds.
Chickpea flour is a good alternative for oats
