Comforting Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Bake Recipe

Golden autumn evenings call for comfort meals that warm your soul with hearty, Mexican-inspired butternut squash & black bean enchilada bake flavors.

Vibrant colors and robust spices dance across this delightful casserole, promising a culinary adventure.

Layers of tender butternut squash mingle beautifully with protein-packed black beans and rich, melted cheese.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes that satisfy deep hunger.

Wholesome ingredients combine to create a meal that feels simultaneously indulgent and nutritious.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings become extraordinary with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Dive into this enchilada bake and let your taste buds celebrate a symphony of southwestern-inspired deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need for Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Bake

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables with subtle depth.
• Onion: Delivers sweet, caramelized undertones that build complex flavor layers.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent notes that heighten the dish's overall taste profile.
• Jalapeno: Introduces bright, spicy kick to energize the entire enchilada bake.

• Butternut Squash: Brings creamy, slightly sweet texture with nutritious autumn warmth.
• Black Beans: Supplies protein-packed, earthy richness and satisfying substantial bite.
• Corn Tortilla Strips: Creates delightful textural contrast and authentic Mexican essence.

• Cumin: Weaves deep, smoky undertones characteristic of traditional southwestern cuisine.
• Chili Powder: Contributes warm, slightly sharp spice that elevates the entire dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Balances and intensifies all underlying flavor components.

• Enchilada Sauce: Infuses tangy, zesty moisture that melds all ingredients seamlessly.

• Cheese: Melts into luxurious, creamy blanket adding indulgent richness.
• Cilantro: Sprinkles fresh, bright herbal notes for vibrant final touch.
• Greek Yogurt: Offers cool, tangy counterpoint to spicy elements.
• Guacamole: Provides creamy, fresh accompaniment with authentic Mexican flair.

Tools to Prep Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Bake

• Large oven-proof skillet: Your main cooking vessel for this one-pan wonder.
• Cutting board: Essential for chopping onions, garlic, and jalapeno.
• Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable dicing.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like cumin and chili powder.
• Broiler: Gives the cheese that irresistible golden-brown finish.
• Cheese grater (optional): Useful if you're grating your own cheese.

Baking Instructions for the Enchilada Casserole

• Flavor Base

Create a sizzling foundation by heating olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet. Dance onions, garlic, and jalapeño together until they release their aromatic magic and turn softly translucent.

• Squash Transformation

Introduce cubed butternut squash to the skillet, sprinkling cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the ingredients mingle and soften, occasionally covering to steam and tenderize the squash.

• Hearty Fusion

Invite black beans and corn tortilla strips into the pan, mixing with enchilada sauce to create a vibrant, colorful medley of textures and flavors.

• Cheesy Crown

Stir in a handful of cheese until it melts luxuriously. Blanket the remaining cheese on top and slide under a blazing broiler. Watch the cheese bubble and turn golden brown, creating a gorgeous crispy layer.

• Final Flourish

Pull the skillet from the oven and shower with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with a creamy dollop of Greek yogurt or zesty guacamole for an extra burst of deliciousness.

Add-Ins and Tweaks for the Enchilada Bake

• Flavor Boosters: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for extra depth and warmth in your butternut squash mixture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire skillet filling up to two days in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator. Simply add cheese and broil when ready to serve for a quick weeknight meal.
• Protein Power-Up: Swap black beans with shredded rotisserie chicken or diced tofu for different protein options that complement the squash perfectly.
• Vegetable Swap Secrets: Replace butternut squash with sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or acorn squash during different seasons for similar texture and flavor profiles. Each alternative brings a unique taste while maintaining the dish's comforting essence.
• Spice Level Control: Reduce or eliminate jalapeno for a milder version, or add extra seeds for more heat. Consider serving hot sauce on the side so everyone can adjust according to their personal spice tolerance.

How to Serve the Butternut & Black Bean Dish

• Fresh Fiesta Toppers: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro, diced green onions, and crispy jalapeño slices for a burst of color and zesty flavor that complements the rich enchilada bake.
• Creamy Cool Companions: Add a refreshing dollop of Greek yogurt, homemade guacamole, or tangy sour cream to balance the warm, spicy notes of the dish and provide a smooth contrast.
• Texture-Packed Sides: Serve alongside crispy tortilla chips, warm Mexican rice, or a light cilantro-lime salad to create a complete meal that offers multiple textures and flavor dimensions.
• Spice Level Customization: Provide a small tray of different hot sauces like Cholula, Tapatio, or homemade salsa verde, allowing each person to adjust the heat level to their personal preference.

Save & Store Your Enchilada Bake Properly

• Batch Cooking Bonanza: Whip up a double batch and stash extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners. These enchiladas freeze beautifully and reheat like a dream, saving you precious time during busy weeks.
• Fridge Freshness Strategy: Store leftover enchilada bake in sealed containers for up to 4 days. Keep the Greek yogurt and cilantro garnishes separate to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy toppings.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Revive refrigerated portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to lock in moisture. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the enchilada's delightful crispy cheese top.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Cube butternut squash and chop onions a day ahead, storing in sealed containers. This weekend meal prep trick cuts down cooking time and makes dinner assembly a breeze.

Hearty Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Rich butternut squash & black bean enchilada bake brings Mexican comfort to hearty dinner tables. Layered flavors merge roasted vegetables, spices, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can red enchilada sauce
• 8 yellow corn tortillas
• 3 cups butternut squash (½-inch-diced, peeled)
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack or Mexican cheese
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ jalapeno, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cilantro
• Greek yogurt

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium flame. Introduce diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeno, stirring until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
2. Vegetable Transformation: Add cubed butternut squash, generously seasoning with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook while occasionally covering with a lid, allowing vegetables to caramelize and develop deep, robust flavors.
3. Ingredient Integration: Incorporate black beans and torn corn tortilla strips into the vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution and creating a complex flavor profile.
4. Sauce Fusion: Drench the skillet contents with enchilada sauce, creating a unified and rich culinary base that binds all ingredients together.
5. Cheese Layering: Disperse half the cheese throughout the mixture, stirring to create pockets of melted goodness. Top with remaining cheese and transfer to a high-temperature broiler.
6. Final Flourish: Broil until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with optional accompaniments like Greek yogurt, guacamole, or hot sauce to elevate the dining experience.

Notes

• Squash Caramelization Tip: Dice butternut squash uniformly to ensure even cooking and maximize caramelized edges for deeper flavor complexity.
• Spice Balance Strategy: Adjust chili powder and cumin quantities based on personal heat tolerance, allowing customizable flavor intensity.
• Tortilla Texture Hack: Use slightly stale corn tortillas for better absorption and structural integrity within the enchilada bake.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Select a cheese blend with good melting properties like monterey jack or mild cheddar to achieve optimal golden, stretchy coverage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg