Vegan Enchilada Casserole
This slow cooker vegan enchilada casserole takes only 15 minutes of prep, then add it all into the crockpot. It’s filling, flavourful, and the easiest way to make vegan enchiladas!
When I first stopped eating meat, I went through a slow cooker phase. I quickly learned that pretty much everything tastes better once it’s been cooking away for hours, and this vegan enchilada casserole is no exception.
The blend of Tex-Mex flavours really creates the perfect meal and it will make your whole house smell amazing too. My favourite ingredient in this vegan enchilada casserole is definitely the quinoa, which makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
Get ready for your family to finish their dinner and ask for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Enchilada Casserole.
- So filling. With protein-packed quinoa and black beans, along with lots of veggies, this is a dinner that will keep you full and satisfied.
- Easy to make. We don’t always have time to roll vegan enchiladas (or even make a quinoa enchilada skillet), in which case this slow cooker enchilada casserole is a game-changer.
- Comfort food heaven. Just the word “casserole” makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! While I love traditional cozy casseroles like vegan chicken pot pie casserole, this vegan enchilada casserole serves up comfort food goodness with Tex-Mex flair.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Vegetable broth – Here’s how to make vegetable broth from kitchen scraps.
- Uncooked quinoa – If yours doesn’t say it’s been rinsed on the package, give it a good rinse to make sure there’s no bitter coating.
- Black beans – Pinto beans would also work in this recipe!
- Corn kernels – Sweet corn is a tasty addition to this vegan enchilada casserole.
- Diced tomatoes – Use fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavour.
- Enchilada sauce – Any variety you like.
- Vegetables – Green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and onion.
- Seasonings – Garlic, chili powder or chipotle powder, sea salt, ground black pepper, and cumin add Tex-Mex flavour in spades.
- Lime – To brighten everything up.
- Vegan mozzarella cheese shreds – Or another type of vegan cheese you like.
- Garnish – Chopped parsley, tomatoes, vegan sour cream.
How to Make Vegan Enchilada Casserole
- Combine. Stir together the veggie broth with all the other ingredients except the cheese and lime in the slow cooker.
- Cook. Set the slow cooker to HIGH for 2 to 2 ½ hours.
- Finish. When there are about 10 minutes left, open the slow cooker and stir in the lime juice and half of the cheese. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more.
- Serve. Divide the vegan enchilada casserole into bowls and serve with your favourite toppings.
Tips for Success
- Stir well. To make sure there aren’t any clumps of spices, make sure to give the vegan enchilada casserole a good stir before closing the lid.
- Don’t overcook. Keep an eye on the slow cooker towards the end of cooking time, as every crockpot cooks differently and you don’t want the quinoa and veggies to become mushy.
- Make ahead. This vegan enchilada casserole is perfect for meal prep, as it keeps in the refrigerator for a week. You can also get a head start by cutting the vegetables up to 2 days in advance.
Variations
- Make it spicy. For those who love a bit more heat, consider adding cayenne pepper, canned green chilis, or a diced jalapeno to the mix before cooking.
- Add faux meat. Stir cubes or torn pieces of vegan chicken into the casserole during the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Switch up the veggies. Zucchini, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms—there are so many options!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your vegan enchilada casserole alongside cauliflower rice, with vegan cornbread, or topped with restaurant-style blender salsa or guacamole.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer leftover vegan enchilada casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet set over low heat on the stovetop.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
This casserole also freezes well. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Vegan Slow Cooker Favourites
- Vegan Chili (Slow Cooker)
- Slow Cooker Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
- Slow Cooker Tofu Butter Chicken (Vegan)
- White Bean and Kale Soup (Vegan, Slow Cooker)
- Vegan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Chili (Slow Cooker)
Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan enchilada casserole, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Vegan Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups vegetable broth, (540ml)
- 1 ½ cups uncooked quinoa, (270g)
- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed, (425g)
- 15 oz can corn kernels, drained and rinsed, (418g)
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, about 2 cups (do not drain), (411g)
- 1 cup enchilada sauce, (240ml)
- ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper, (roughly 100g)
- ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper, (roughly 100g)
- 1 medium onion, chopped OR ½ large red onion (100g)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder or chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin powder
- juice of 1 large lime, about 1 ½ tablespoons
- 1 ¼ cups vegan mozzarella cheese shreds, or a mix if you like
- TO GARNISH: chopped parsley, chopped tomatoes, vegan sour cream
Instructions
- Add the veggie broth, and then all the ingredients EXCEPT the cheese and the lime into the slow cooker. Stir a few times to completely combine.
- Set the slow cooker to HIGH for 2 to 2 ½ hours. I’ve made it both ways, and it just depends on your individual slow cooker.
- When there are about 10 minutes left, open the slow cooker and add the lime juice and ½ the cheese. Stir it in as best as you can, then smooth the mix back flat again. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Place the lid back on and let it cook for the last 10 minutes.
- When the casserole is ready, serve with your favourite toppings (avocado, chopped green onions, parsley, tomato and sour cream). Enjoy!!
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Easy to make and taste amazing! Thank you for sharing with this recipe!
Hi Alicja,
Thank you SO much for your feedback!! I’m so happy to hear and you’re so welcome!!
Could you make this in an instant pot? Do you know how long? I assume you could just add the vegan cheese and lime after it finishes.
Hi Leslie,
I haven’t tried this in an instant pot, so I honestly don’t know. But basically as much time as it would take to cook the quinoa would probably be what you’d need. I do have to say that I can’t guarantee that the flavours would be as rich as while slow cooked. I hope that helps!!
Is this recipe spicy? A tbsp full of chilli makes m think it is?? I want to make it for the whole family but not sure if its ok for my young children ?
Hey Nicola!
It wasn’t spicy for me, but I haven’t made it for kids! Hmm, maybe start with half the amount? Then if it isn’t, next time you can increase it! I hope that helps and that you enjoy!
So, officially one of my new favorite recipes. I live alone so I planned to freeze most of this when I cooked it. Well, that won’t be happening. I’ve incorporated it some way in every meal I’ve had since then. I have one small serving left and will immediately make more when it is done. Surely some of the next batch will make it to the freezer. LOVE that it uses the crockpot too. Wonderful recipe… THANK YOU!
These were really delicious and fairly healthy(minus sour cream and cheese) but there is way too much information to get to the
actual recipe. Also I had to cook it way longer than your instructions. At least an hour longer to get the thick texture shown in the
picture.
Worth it.
Thanks for posting…
This looks great! Can you cook on low and if so how long?
Thanks Barbara! I’m not sure if cooking it on low would make the quinoa mushy, either. If you want to still try it, you could try about 4-5 hours, but I can’t guarantee it. I hope that helps!
This looks awesome. Can you share what brand of vegan cheese you used? Thank you!
Hi Camille,
Thank you so much!! You can try a combination of Daiya and Violife for a great melt!!
Made it today and its delicious! Always enjoy your recipes!!!
Wow! I just made this and love it! I love enchiladas but I always find using tortillas make it to filling and this will definitely be my go-to recipe. Followed everything, only had cook it an hour longer on high heat so I could get it to be thicker consistentency, just my preference. Used fire roasted diced tomatoes since I didn’t have regular ones and don’t mind that extra heat. Used daiya cheddar shreds.
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for letting me know and so glad you enjoyed it!! So glad you enjoyed! I love Daiya’s cheddar – so good!!
I made this for a potluck lunch at work. I knew it was a winner, when I saw people going back for seconds! I was asked to share the recipe, and have gladly done so. Thanks for sharing such a delicious, easy recipe with us…especially veganized!!!! Love it!
Wow Lacey we’re so glad that you enjoyed it!