Here was last night’s dinner: Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean Tacos
One of the things I’m most happy about as a parent is when I can find/create meals that my child will actually eat and enjoy. I tried to do that with The Recipe Girl Cookbook, focused on family-friendly meals that EVERYONE will enjoy. My family does enjoy all of the recipes in the book. I continue to experiment, and I’d love to say that my son wants to eat everything I make for dinner, but that’s not always the case.
This was one of those dinners I had in my head, so I opened my vegetable drawer to see what was lurking in there and basically just grabbed what I saw. Also in my head was the thought that my son doesn’t like most vegetables, but I was bound and determined to make this recipe delicious enough for a veggie-weary child.
I went with yellow squash, zucchini, onion, red bell pepper and sweet potato. Corn would work nicely in here too, as would butternut squash. These are tossed with a small amount of olive oil and salt and pepper, then roasted for 45 minutes. This step can be prepared the night before and then just combined with the rest of the ingredients to make the tacos.
I like to prepare taco tortillas the way my Mom taught me to make them. I fry them in oil. Yes, OIL! They’re just kind of the best that way- nice and pliable and they do not crack apart when you eat them. Just heat the oil and fry each tortilla for about 20 seconds (see the recipe below for details).
Those roasted veggies are mixed with black beans and a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes (you can use freshly chopped tomatoes and canned chiles if you’d like). A homemade taco-spice blend is mixed in too. Tuck a few spoonfuls of the mixture into the center of each tortilla…
… then add your fixings! I opted for a few good slices of fresh avocado and crumbled feta cheese. Dress them up however you’d like though… other nice add-ins: lettuce, fresh tomato, salsa and sour cream.
So I’m guessing you’d like to hear the results? On whether or not my kiddo enjoyed these “vegetable” tacos? Well, it turns out the little guy had a horrible headache and opted to skip dinner entirely. So I’ll have to try it out on him another time. I can tell you, however, that my husband and I thought they were very, very good and chowed down on three tacos each! The roasted vegetables lend a slightly sweet flavor to the taco. So good!
If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.
Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean Tacos
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow squash, chopped into small chunks
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) zucchini, chopped into small chunks
- 1 small (about 1 cup) onion, chopped
- 1 medium (about 1½ cups) red bell pepper, de-seeded, ribs removed and chopped
- 1 medium (about 1½ cups) sweet potato or yam, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- One 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- One 10 ounce can original Ro-Tel (tomatoes + chiles)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 12 taco-sized corn tortillas
- canola or vegetable oil
- suggested add-ins: avocado, cotija or feta cheese, lettuce, sour cream)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.
- Add all of your vegetables to a large bowl and toss with the olive oil. Spread the veggies on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, stir to re-distribute, roast another 15 minutes, stir again, and roast one more time for 15 minutes (45 minutes total). This step may be prepared ahead of schedule. Just refrigerate your veggies until ready to make your tacos.
- In a medium skillet, heat the black beans and Ro-Tel tomatoes over low heat. In a small bowl, combine the spices (cumin through pepper). Sprinkle the spices over the beans/Ro-Tel and stir to combine. Add the roasted veggies, stir to combine and continue to heat until the mixture is completely warm.
- In a small skillet, heat ½ inch or less of oil over medium-high. When you can flick a drop of water in the oil and get a sizzle, you're ready to fry your tortillas. Place one tortilla in the hot oil and use tongs to press it down so it cooks on both sides. You only need to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining tortillas, placing paper towels in between each cooked tortilla to absorb the oil.
- Assemble tacos: Place a scoop of the roasted veggie/black bean mixture into a tortilla and add desired fixings. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Leftovers are good for a couple of days!
Notes
- To prepare this recipe as GLUTEN-FREE, just be sure to use brands of beans and tortillas that are GF.
- Chili powder may be substituted for smoked paprika, if necessary.
- If you don't wish to fry your tortillas, you can soften them by heating 3 at a time in damp paper towels in the microwave (they'll be more susceptible to tearing though). Flour tortillas are a good choice, too.
- Sub your favorite shredded cheese for the feta, if desired.
Nutrition
Here are a few more vegetarian taco recipes you might enjoy:
- Roasted Potato and Asparagus Tacos by Herbivoracious
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos by Mountain Mama Cooks
- Mushroom Tacos by A Cozy Kitchen
- Zucchini- Mushroom Hominy Tacos by A Veggie Venture
I use this recipe to make enchiladas. My whole family loves them! I use a large sweet potato, 2 medium zucchini and a large yellow squash….everything else the same and last night I wound up with 3 9×13 pans of enchiladas. Use whatever your favorite enchiladas sauce is. I warm my corn tortillas on a hot cast iron griddle to make pliable them fill and roll. Before putting tortillas seam side down in the pan be sure to put about a cup of sauce in the bottom of your casserole dish. The ones I’m freezing I then layer sauce and cheese and freeze before baking. Out of freezer leave covered with foil at 325 for about 30 minutes, uncover bake additional 15 minutes. The ones for “today” I use my misto to lightly spritz the tortilla rolls. Bake at 400 until lightly crisp 10-15 minutes then remove from oven and sauce plus cheese then bake until cheese melted.
I’ve been making these for several years and I am so thankful for the base recipe of delicious veggie filling. People are always shocked how delicious this healthy dish is.
Great idea!
Looks great! If you don’t feel like frying the tortillas but still want them to have a crispy “bite”, simply lightly brush one side with oil and heat in a skillet on medium until you get some dark spots. Or place directly where the skillet would be if you have gas and adjust heat accordingly. Either way they will have more flavor and hold together better than microwaved corn tortillas. If heat is too low the tortillas might become tough – so don’t be afraid to turn up the heat a bit. I make these all the time and they are real topper to a dish like this. Taco is still fold-able and soft but with a hint of crunch. Have to use them right away though for best taste.
This came out delicious. Only changes I made were to omit the red pepper and instead added one small baby eggplant and one ear of roasted corn. It’s also really good topped with a little lime juice
I have made these for my husband and numerous friends that wouldn’t believe a meal is a meal without meat. Low and behold they loved them!! Wonderful flavors and the sweet potato really steps it up making it more substantial and filling. Thank you for the amazing recipe, flavor and presentation is spot on!
Thank you- glad you enjoyed!
Not sure how I found this recipe or your blog but so glad I did. These were delicious! Even my meat-loving husband thought they were good. This recipe is a keeper. 🙂
These are fantastic! I have made them many times now, and have shared the recipe with lots of friends. Thank you for such a healthy, low fat and delicious recipe! The feta cheese adds so much- don’t skip it!
I used this recipe last night with a couple substitutions (like goat cheese because I’m lactose intolerant, added 1/2 acorn squash, and cilantro) and WOW these tacos are good. My husband said, “I don’t even miss the meat.” Thanks for posting this! This is a great way to use the fall vegetables that are in season.
Amazing! I made this for my family and they loved it! The only thing I did differently was use flour tortillas instead of corn, but other than that I followed the recipe from top to bottom. Very flavorful. Thank you for the recipe!
I made these vegetables and the fryed corn tortillas and they were delicious. I had never fried my tortillas, but it did not break this time. Thanks for the yummy recipe, I will be making this more often.
Yum, I love roasted vegetables and love that you put them in a taco! So fun and healthy at the same time! I think my toddler would love these too since he’s been obsessed with tacos lately. Thanks for the great recipe Lori 🙂
Roasted veggies make for the very best tacos, and these are absolutely no exception! Lovely, Lori!
Your fridge had all of my favorite vegetables! Lol. These tacos look awesome. I would add cilantro to the add-in list, but that’s because I can’t get enough of it. 🙂
Wow, this looks amazing! I love the way you prepare the tortillas 🙂
Would it be alright to grill the vegetables. We love to grill vegetables, then to make tacos out of them, would be terrific! Thank you for the recipe!
That sounds wonderful too!
These tacos look fabulous! I wish I could get my husband to eat more veggies, lol.
Those look soooo good!
Those roasted veggies look amazing!
These look amazing, Lori!! So fun for Cinco de Mayo! Can’t wait to see you in a month.
xox
This looks so delicious! My family is for sure to enjoy this with just the exception of my picky husband (i.e. squash). I myself will try with chilli pepper as a substitute for paprika. Thanks so much for the great recipe 🙂
These tacos look like the perfect evening meal, easy and so delicious!
Looks delicious Lori!! Will definitely be giving these a try.
Umm, yes tacos are a staple for me and your veggie packed samples are making me hungry!
Tacos are my all time favorite food and roasted veggies are high up there too! These tacos look so fresh and tasty – I can definitely see everyone in my house enjoying these!
I would GLADLY take your son’s portion of this dinner! Roasted veggies are my favorites!
Roasted veggies are my favorite kind of veggies. And putting them in tacos? Yes please!
Lori,
These tacos look so fresh and delicious! Wonderful photos, and I’m sorry your son missed out. I love the feta–what a flavorful twist.
Thanks!
Oh my, Lori…I could just dive right into that beautiful platter of yours filled with Roasted Veggies & Black Bean Tacos! Mmmm… xo
Looks so yummy, Lori!!!
Looks great! I hope he felt better by this morning!!
My son would probably say he had a headache if I made these too! He’s a bit of a veggie-phobe. I’d make these anyway, because I love that sweet potato-black bean combination. It sounds delicious!
I love roasted veggies, but have never put them in a taco. I am sure I would love this – just not sure I could convince my 8 year old to eat them. Worth a try though!
Any taco that is black bean focused, I’m in!
These sound delicious. Plus I see avocado which makes everything amazing.
Love all those veggies! Perfect for meatless monday! Now I am craving tacos 🙂
Sweet potatoes and black beans are one of my favorite veggie taco combinations. I just recently used feta on my tacos because it was the only cheese I had on hand and loved it.
I do the same thing with my tortillas -it’s the best way! These sound absolutely delicious – SO my kind of dinner!
Those look so good, I would add some jalapenos for spice. I made your apricot balsamic glazed chicken from your book last night..huge hit…I even got a request for the leftovers for breakfast!!
These tacos look pretty good even without the meat.
Oh, yeah! Those look great. Thanks for the recipe.
These look so beautiful! I LOVE adding roasted veggies to Mexican food. Your tacos sound amazing!
I am still hoping that SOMEDAY my kids will be adventurous in the kitchen! Love that you fry the tortillas in oil….mammas know best!
Absolutely love these! I will have to make these asap!
Looks delicious! Hadn’t thought of putting sweet potatoes in a taco–love it!
Lori I love roasted veggies. Love them! I have to try putting them in a taco. My brothers would never dare touch them, but that is ok! They are to delicious not to make!
Love the veggie tacos, the avocado slices, and that your plates go PERFECTLY with the food on them. Totally color coordinated 🙂