Description
These Vegan Enchiladas With Lentils are hearty, cheesy, and packed with plant-based protein. A gluten-free friendly, comforting dinner made with lentils, veggies, and bold enchilada sauce—perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the enchiladas
12 tortillas (22 cm / 8–9 inches)
7 oz (200 g) vegan cheese, shredded (or to taste)
Enchilada filling
1 cup (192 g) dry lentils
2 ½ cups (600 ml) vegetable broth
½ cup (70 g) sunflower seeds
1 ⅓ cups (120 g) rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
3 heaped tbsp (120 g) tomato paste
2 small bell peppers, chopped
1 medium carrot, grated
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp ground chia seeds or flax seeds
1–2 hot chili peppers, chopped (optional)
1 tbsp oil
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Spices for filling
½ tbsp onion powder
½ tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano
1–2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
Enchilada sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp gluten-free flour (or all-purpose)
2 ½ cups (600 ml) tomato sauce
½ tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Rinse lentils and add them to a pot with vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 10 minutes.
To make the enchilada sauce, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add spices and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Season to taste.
For the filling, heat oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic for 3–4 minutes. Add bell peppers, carrot, tomato, and chili peppers. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
Add oats, sunflower seeds, ground chia/flax, spices, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Blend 20–30 seconds.
Add cooked vegetables and tomato paste; blend again. Add cooked lentils and blend until a thick, moldable mixture forms.
Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C).
Spread about 2 heaped tablespoons of filling onto each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
Pour enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
Add vegan cheese and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
Warm tortillas briefly before rolling to prevent cracking.
If filling feels too soft, blend in extra ground oats.
Adjust spice level by reducing chili peppers and cayenne.
Stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 13 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
