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This post is a healthy dinner recipe for a one-pan enchilada bake with caramelized cauliflower.
Looking for a quick, flavor-packed dinner that brings bold Tex-Mex vibes straight to your table? This One-Pan Enchilada Bake with Caramelized Cauliflower has everything you love about enchiladas—smoky red sauce, melty cheese, and hearty layers—without the fuss.
Nutrient-rich baby spinach, black beans, and the sweet, nutty caramelization of cauliflower rice, the flavors are so good. Plus, optional lean ground turkey makes it a versatile crowd-pleaser. Topped with creamy avocado, zesty corn salsa, and a squeeze of fresh lime, this dish will make weeknight dinners easy. Altogether, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for weeknights when you want comfort food without the hassle.
This post is a healthy dinner recipe for a one-pan enchilada bake with caramelized cauliflower.
One-Pan Enchilada Bake with Caramelized Cauliflower
Equipment
- Oven
- Large, Oven Safe, Saute Pan with lid
- Heat Safe Spatula Wooden Spoon would also work
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz bag frozen cauliflower rice
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 15 oz jar red enchilada sauce I prefer HEB's Enchilada Salsa Roja
- 1 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
- 3 each low carb tortillas sliced into 1 inch strips
- 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese
- 1 lb lean ground turkey, cooked *optional
Garnishes: sliced avocado, sour cream or greek yogurt, corn salsa, green onion, chopped cilantro, lime wedge, hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350° F.
- Preheat a large, oven-safe saute pan on medium-high heat until you can feel the heat radiating from the pan. Add 2 tbsp of your preferred cooking oil. Add 1 bag of1 10 oz bag frozen cauliflower rice.
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper and saute cauliflower until the water has cooked off from the frozen vegetable. When the pan looks dry, reduce the heat to medium low, and continue to saute until a deep caramelized color forms on the cauliflower.
- Add in your 1 15 oz jar red enchilada sauce and 1 15 oz can black beans, and toss the mixture in the pan. Add your 2 cups fresh baby spinach on top and cover the pan until the spinach wilts, about 3 mintues. Stir the mixture. Add in your 1 lb lean ground turkey, cooked at this point if using.
- Top your saute with your strips of 3 each low carb tortillasand 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese. Cover again, and place into oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve with your favorite garnishes.
This post is a recipe for a one-pan enchilada bake with caramelized cauliflower.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS HEALTHY DINNER RECIPE?
One Pan = Easy Clean Up… ’nuff said. Packed with bold flavors and caramelized goodness, this one-pan enchilada bake will satisfy those wanting something spicy and comforting. This recipe works as perfect meal prep for feeding a crowd. Easy enough to scale back to feed 2, or even reheat for the next day’s lunch.
As a mom, I’m always looking for delicious ways to include more vegetables in my little one’s diet. Using cauliflower as the main carrier of flavor allows me to feed and nourish my family, guilt-free.
The whole meal requires minimal prep, and the majority of the cook time is while the dish bakes in the oven. This allows you to walk away and cross something else on your to-do list before dinner is served.
INGREDIENT HIGHLIGHTS
Caramelized cauliflower brings a subtle sweetness and crispy texture that perfectly complements the smoky enchilada sauce. Although cauliflower is a great low-carb option, you can always swap the riced cauliflower for short-grain rice.
Spinach is a great vegetable high in iron and fiber, but if you’d like to replace it, other leafy greens like kale and swiss chard would work as well. You can add additional vegetables to the pan as well, such as roasted sweet potatoes or squash.
COOKING TIPS FOR SUCCESS
The trick for getting your cauliflower caramelized is to limit the amount of stirring you do in the pan. Caramelizing happens when the sugars in the cauliflower starts to burn. By allowing the cauliflower to stick to the bottom of the pan and cook untouched, you will create more depth of flavor. Once you add the enchilada sauce to the pan, use your spatula to mix and agitate the cauliflower, and it will loosen from the bottom of the pan. All of the browned bits of cauliflower will work their way back into the sauce. This cooking technique is called deglazing.
You can make the dish spicier by adding in a diced jalapeno, or a dash of cayenne pepper. To make the dish milder, you can use half the amount of enchilada saice, and supplement with pureed tomato sauce.
Ideal garnishes for this recipe will echo the Mexican flavors of the dish. Chopped cilantro adds color and freshness to the dish. A dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt will add a creamy, coolness to tone down the heat of the dish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
You can eat this dish as is, or pair it with a side of Mexican rice, or a fresh green salad. A simple salad of shredded romaine, sliced avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime would be a great addition. As for beverages, I recommend serving with a spicy margarita or your favorite sparkling water.
Ready to dig into this one-pan wonder? Let me know in the comments how yours turned out, or share a photo on Instagram and tag me!”
This post is a recipe for a one-pan enchilada bake with caramelized cauliflower.
This blog post highlights a simple yet flavorful One-Pan Enchilada Bake with Caramelized Cauliflower, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. It covers everything you need to know, from essential ingredients to helpful tips for getting perfectly caramelized cauliflower and customizing garnishes. Readers will find ideas for serving suggestions, like pairing the dish with a fresh salad or a zesty corn salsa, and guidance on making it their own with optional add-ins like lean ground turkey. This recipe is for readers who are looking for a hearty, healthy dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish with minimal prep-time and cleanup.
