Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls

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These roasted veggie and black bean bowls featuring sweet potatoes, poblano peppers and red onion are bursting with bold flavors. Together, these ingredients deliver a hearty, fiber-packed meal that also offers a healthy dose of plant-based protein. Add a tangy scoop of guacamole, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and more of your favorite toppings and you’ll have a vibrant, satisfying dinner for your regular rotation.

an image of the Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls
Credit:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
4
  • With roasted sweet potatoes and black beans, this bowl is packed with tasty plant-based protein.
  • Avocados provide heart-healthy fat and fiber, which helps fill you up and fuels good gut bacteria.
  • For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce.

These Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls are filling and perfect for a meatless meal. Antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes, onions and poblano peppers are given a smoky coating of cumin and paprika and then roasted to caramelized perfection. A quick guacamole makes the perfect bed for the roasted veggies and fiber-rich black beans, while briny cotija cheese and sweet pickled red onions crown the bowl. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to up the spice level of your bowl.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To save on preparation time, consider purchasing pre-chopped sweet potatoes and prepared guacamole.
  • You can replace the cotija cheese with queso fresco or feta, if desired.
  • For an extra kick of flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper or your favorite hot sauce. 
  • You can buy pickled red onions or make them at home up to a month in advance, and they’ll keep in the refrigerator. They’re also excellent in salads and sandwiches.

Nutrition Notes

  • Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A for eye health. They’re also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting your immune system.
  • Black beans are rich in fiber and antioxidants. They also add plant-based protein to these bowls. Eating more beans has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease. 
  • Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy fat. The fiber from avocado, black beans and sweet potatoes not only helps fill you up but also feeds your gut’s beneficial bacteria.
  • Poblano peppers are rich in antioxidants. Eating spicy food like poblanos has many health benefits, including supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. There’s even evidence that spicy foods help you feel full and satisfied more quickly when eating a meal.
an image of the ingredients to make the Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Bowls

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces (4 cups)

  • 2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces (2 cups)

  • 1 medium red onion, peeled and cut through root end into 12 wedges

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, divided

  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin, divided

  • 2 avocados, halved and pitted

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice, divided

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus small leaves for garnish

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • 1 (15-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed

  • 8 teaspoons crumbled cotija cheese, divided

  • 4 teaspoons pickled red onions

  • Lime wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine sweet potatoes, poblanos and onion wedges in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil, ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon each salt and cumin; toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. (Reserve the bowl; do not wipe clean.)

    an image of the veggies being tossed with seasonings

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

  2. Roast, tossing once, until the vegetables are starting to brown and the sweet potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. (If desired, increase oven temperature to broil during the final 3 minutes of cooking to char the mixture.) Let cool slightly on the baking sheet, about 10 minutes.

    an image of the veggies on a baking sheet

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

  3. Meanwhile, scoop avocado flesh into a medium bowl; add 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon cilantro, the grated garlic and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Mash and stir to reach desired consistency.

    an image of the avocado being mashed in a bowl

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

  4. In the reserved large bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice and ¼ teaspoon each smoked paprika and cumin. Add rinsed black beans; toss to coat.

  5. Divide the avocado mixture among 4 shallow bowls (about ⅓ cup each); spread to cover the bottoms of the bowls. Top each bowl with about 1¼ cups vegetable mixture, about ⅓ cup beans, 2 teaspoons cotija and 1 teaspoon pickled onion. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

    an image of the bowls being assembled

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have to use canned black beans?

    Canned beans are the most convenient option, but if you prefer more control over sodium levels and flavor, consider using dry beans. You can prepare them in advance and even cook a large batch, then freeze it for about 6 months.

  • Can I use other vegetables?

    Absolutely. Consider using other vegetables like corn, Brussels sprouts and butternut squash.

  • What should I serve with a black bean veggie bowl?

    Warm, crispy tortilla chips would be fabulous for dipping. While you could also serve it with your favorite rice, we suggest trying one of our favorites: Easy Brown Rice, Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice, or Cauliflower Rice.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Fresh is always best, but you can store this dish in the fridge for up to 5 days. Refrigerate the guacamole separately with plastic wrap on the surface to prevent browning. When you’re ready to reheat it, portion out the desired amount and use one of the following methods: 1. Microwave it on Medium in 1-minute increments until heated. 2. Place the roasted vegetables and black beans in a pot and warm them over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the guacamole before serving.

Recipe developed by Marianne Williams

EatingWell.com, February 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

484 Calories
25g Fat
59g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 bowl
Calories 484
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 17g 62%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 12g 23%
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Vitamin A 987µg
Vitamin C 65mg 72%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 5mg 31%
Folate 158µg
Vitamin K 35µg
Sodium 752mg 33%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 4mg 22%
Magnesium 107mg 26%
Potassium 1367mg 29%
Zinc 2mg 17%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.