Hearty, wholesome, and packed with flavour, this Vegan Sweet Potato & Bean Bake is the ultimate comfort dish that’s both nourishing and satisfying. Layers of tender sweet potato, protein-rich black beans, and a rich, smoky tomato sauce come together in a warming oven-bake, finished with a golden topping of melted vegan cheese. It’s a perfect midweek meal for four that’s easy to prep, full of plant-based goodness, and guaranteed to please vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled
2 x 400g cans black beans, drained
200g vegan cheese, grated
handful parsley, chopped
For the sauce:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin + more to season layers
2 tsp smoked paprika + more to season layers
1 tsp mixed herbs + more to season layers
400g can chopped tomatoes
¼ cup (60ml) tomato purée
Method:
- Firstly, prepare the tomato sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion and garlic and fry until fragrant, 3-4 minutes. Next, add in the spices and herbs and cook for another minute, stirring.
- Add in the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce is reduced and thickens.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Spread half of the tomato at the bottom of a baking dish.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into 3mm thin slices – try to make each slice the same thickness.
- Place a layer of sweet potato on the tomato sauce overlapping slightly – season with salt, herbs, and smoked paprika.
- Next, spread 1 can of black beans on top of the potato. Follow with another layer of sweet potato, and season with salt, herbs, and smoked paprika.
- Spread the second can of black beans followed with a third layer of sweet potato. Again season with salt, herbs, and smoked paprika.
- Finally, top with the remaining tomato sauce. Cover with a piece of tin foil and bake for about 40-50 minutes, until the sweet potato is cooked through.
- Sprinkle with grated vegan cheese and bake without cover for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese has melted.