Vegan Southwestern Bake

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Nothing tastes better than comfort food when the weather starts to cool down. But, unfortunately, comfort food generally isn't healthy, unless, of course, we make it from healthy whole foods. My vegan southwestern bake is a casserole loaded with whole foods and topped with my Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe. This southwestern bake recipe screams comfort food! 

Even though southwestern bake looks deliciously sinful at first glance, it's actually more like heaven in a bowl. 

If you plan to cook for a large family, or a small family or individual serving, this casserole is for everyone. 

As my children grew and left the nest, I learned to prepare food in smaller portions and then adapt for our large family when they come home for dinner. Thank goodness, that is often. 

How to make Southwestern Bake

For a large family, choose a 9x13 inch pan or individual ovenproof ramekins for individual servings.  

Let's begin with what goes in the southwestern bake base before I top it with my Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe.

Ingredients

• Whole Grain Elbow Macaroni
• White Onion
• Garlic
• Diced Tomatoes
• Pinto Beans (or beans of choice)
• Salt
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Pepper
• Jalapeños
• Cooked Brown Lentils

Individual Serving

Or Family Size 

Next, make the Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe and set it aside. 

Then, spoon the cornbread in a thin layer over the top of the individual ramekins. Or gently pour and spread the Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe over the top of the 9 x13 southwestern casserole.

Or, pour and spread the Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe over the top of the 9X13 inch southwestern casserole.

Be careful; the goal isn't to mix the two but to spread the cornbread over the top of the noodles. 

Next, I bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown. Although I love the cornbread topping, the southwestern bake is excellent with or without it. 

As soon as the casserole is removed from the oven, allow it to sit for a few minutes before serving in bowls. Since my family likes southwestern bake a little spicy, I serve extra jalapenos on the side and always take out their favorite hot sauce, Cholula. 

Tips

• Depending on the size of the individual ramekins, adjust time accordingly, as smaller servings may cook faster. 
• Only cook the noodles for half the time on the package since they cook for the second time in the oven. 
• Deseed the jalapenos for a less spicy option, or leave a few seeds for a spicier version. 
• Reheat leftover casserole in the microwave or cover and place in a 325-degree oven for 20 minutes.
• Freeze the noodle portion without cooking it in the oven or adding cornbread topping for up to 2 months. Then, allow thawing completely before adding the cornbread topping and baking. 

Try these healthy vegan Mexican recipes your family will love! 

• Enchilada Pasta
• Vegan Enchiladas
• The Best Ultimate Vegan Lentil Black Bean Burrito Ever
• Veggie and Pinto Bean Quesadilla
• Tater Tot Nachos
• Vegan Guilt-Free Potato Nachos; A Game Day Treat!
• Walnut Meat Tacos
• Tofu Tacos
• Vegan Lentil Tacos
• Tempeh Tacos
• Inside Out Burrito
• Vegan Chili Mac
• Lentil Chili Recipe

Yield: 8 servings

Southwestern Bake

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Southwestern bake is a comforting casserole with lentils, vegetables, and noodles in a slightly spicy sauce, topped with oil-free cornbread topping. One bite is all it takes of this savory and sweet recipe to fall in love.

Print

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked half the recommended package instructions
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 1 15 ounce can pinto beans (or beans of choice)
• 1 4 ounce can green chilies
• 2 1/2 cups cooked brown lentils (I used Trader Joes steamed lentils)
• 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
• 1 package vegan taco seasoning 

Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe (optional)

• Make one recipe oil-free cornbread

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
2. Prepare the oil-free cornbread recipe and set it aside.
3. Cook macaroni half the time recommended drain and set aside.
4. In a large skillet, saute onions and garlic until onions are translucent.
5. Add cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, green chilies, jalapenos, taco seasoning, and green chilies.
6. Stir together until combined and then heat through.
7. Stir in half-cooked noodles
8. Pour into a 9X13 in a casserole dish (I used a glass Pyrex dish) or spoon into individual ramekins dishes (single servings.
9. Now, spoon a thin layer of the oil-free cornbread batter over the top of the 9 x 13-inch casserole dish or the individual ramekins.
10. Using a butter or cake knife, carefully spread the cornbread batter over the top without stirring it into the noodle mixture.
11. Place in the oven for 25 minutes until the cornbread is brown on top.
12. Remove from the oven and allow a few minutes to set up before servings.
13. Spoon noodles topped with cornbread into individual bowls or serve the individual raamekins.
14. Serve with hot sauce and extra jalapenos for the spicy lovers in your family.

Notes

• If you are skipping the cornbread topping, cook at 375 covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.

Tips

• Depending on the size of the individual ramekins, adjust time accordingly, as smaller servings may cook faster. 
• Only cook the noodles for half the time on the package since they cook for the second time in the oven. 
• Deseed the jalapenos for a less spicy option, or leave a few seeds for a spicier version. 
• Reheat leftover casserole in the microwave or cover and place in a 325-degree oven for 20 minutes.
• Freeze the noodle portion without cooking it in the oven or adding cornbread topping for up to 2 months. Then, allow thawing completely before adding the cornbread topping and baking. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

8 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 229Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 328mgCarbohydrates 40gFiber 11gSugar 6gProtein 11g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

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