If you ever looking for a solid lunch or dinner option then there is a new addition you need to look out for Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole. While there are plenty of mediocre wraps and freezer enchiladas this vegan enchilada is truly the whole enchilada in terms of taste.
The taste
If I were blindfolded, I would not know I was eating a vegan dish. This dish has the traditional red enchilada sauce with a fine layer of cheese on it. The sauce covers without drenching the tortillas.
Inside the tortillas a pleasant amount of refried beans. There was a mix of vegetables mentioned in the ingredients but the sweet potatoes were the ones that stood out in the mix. They added a pleasant textural break from the pinto beans.
The enchilada sauce had a mild spice to it. Even with the pinto beans inside the enchiladas, there seemed to be an additional layer of vegan cheese.
If you've ever made enchiladas you know they can be time-consuming depending on how much stuff you put in them. Even keeping Trader Joe's Enchilada Sauce around you will still need additional time to get the tortillas filled and bake them.
So in place of the labor of love is this refrigerated gem. I had my sister try this too. We both came up with the same assessment: the flavor here is awesome and is vastly superior to anything in the freezer case.
This dish is literally the whole enchilada. And no, you won't miss any animal products in this. This dish does cost $5.99 so it is obviously cheaper to make this at home, but to save time I found the price to be worth it.
Best of all these are very filling and don't leave you hungry. If you can polish off this whole dish in one sitting it provides half the fiber you need in a day. Unfortunately, it also is 71% of your sodium intake as well.
The packaging
This is packaged in light cardboard outside with a tray covered in plastic. There is minimal waste here.
Overall
Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole was a pleasant surprise. I've been disappointed by the other frozen enchiladas.
Trader Joe's used to sell a red enchilada was was pretty solid but wasn't vegan. The green enchiladas are still sold and are good as well. Again, the green enchiladas weren't vegan either. This dish is just as good if not better than those.
This is actually a really outstanding dish and if you are even debating getting the frozen enchiladas I'd recommend these over any of the others.
You won't feel like you are missing anything in this dish if you are not vegan.
These are a snap to make although they taste better out of the oven rather than the microwave.
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole again. In fact, if I can find it I'd love to make this a weekly purchase. It actually is that good.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
A visual rundown of this product
The box of Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole:
The nutritional information, ingredients and heating directions:
Out of the package you get:
After being heated you get:
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The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole
Product Name: Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole
Product Description: Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole is new and noteworthy.
Price: $5.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole is a solid choice in the refrigerated section
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- A very well done and filling enchilada.
- Even non-vegans will think this option is solid
Cons
- Quite a bit of sodium in this.
Diane says
I'll have to give that a try. Just tried the bbq pulled jackfruit and it wasn't good. I was so surprised. Very bitter sauce and lots of hard bits/pieces. It's rare for me to not like a Trader Joe's product.
becomebetty says
Hey Diane! That's a bummer about the pulled jackfruit. I bought that one and was looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing!
Alek says
And Gluten Free too! Satisfying both crowds of Gluten free & Vegan.
This would make a good meal for sure.
becomebetty says
Totally!
Paige says
I agree with your review completely! This reminded me of an enchilada casserole my mom makes. I've never had vegan cheese before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I'll definitely be getting this again- as long as I can find it again!
becomebetty says
Hey Paige! I'm having the same problem of not finding these again. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Shellise Janus says
Is this product Gluten free? Its made with corn but it usually says GF if it is.
Frank DiGiorgio says
I'm so confused! In a conventional oven, the plastic melted into my entrée! Did anyone else have this problem?
becomebetty says
I'd be curious too. Thanks for sharing Frank!
Carly says
Did you leave the plastic on when you put it in the oven? I’m scared it’s going to melt even though it says to just lift a corner of the film.
becomebetty says
I left it on and it was fine. Just be careful when it comes out of the oven.
briendownes says
Very nice taste. My wife thought too mushy but I was OK with the texture.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Heidi Gutierrez says
I absolutely love Trader Joe's Vegan Enchilada Casserole. I eat it a couple of times a month when I don't have time yo cook. I just had it for dinner tonight. But this time I topped it with Trader Joe's new crispy jalapeños and it was over the top good 😋
becomebetty says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this!