Skip to main content

Cheesy Turkey Enchiladas with Tomatillo Salsa and Cilantro

In this country, dishes of Mexican origin have a reputation for being fat-laden and bad for you. At the same time, we can’t seem to get enough of them! The funny thing is that in Mexico, the traditional food is generally fresh, healthy, and wholesome—lots of grilled fish and meats, intensely flavored (and cream-free) sauces, fresh vegetables and fruits, and herbs. The problem is the blanket of full-fat cheese and sour cream under which most Mexican-American dishes are served. The Mexican flavors we love come from healthy foods like bright-tasting tomatillos and cilantro, so I banked on them in this new version of enchiladas.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

12 ounces ground turkey breast
Four 9-inch low-carb tortillas, such as La Tortilla Factory
2/3 cup fat-free spicy black bean dip, such as Desert Pepper Trading Company
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 12-ounce jar tomatillo salsa, such as Ortega
1 cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, such as Weight Watchers
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 450°F.

    Step 2

    Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, stirring to break it up a little, until it is just cooked through, about 4 minutes.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, using flameproof tongs, char the tortillas lightly on each side over an open flame, or toast them under a preheated broiler. Keep the tortillas warm by covering them with a clean kitchen towel as you go.

    Step 4

    Stir the black bean dip into the turkey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Step 5

    Lay the tortillas on a work surface, and divide the turkey mixture among them. Fold the sides of the tortillas in over the filling and roll the tortillas up tightly to encase the filling. Lay them side-by-side in a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.

    Step 6

    Spoon the salsa over the tortillas, and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the enchiladas are hot throughout, 10 to 12 minutes.

    Step 7

    Sprinkle the cilantro over the enchiladas, and serve.

  2. nutrition information

    Step 8

    Fat: 33g (before), 9.9g (after)

    Step 9

    Calories: 990 (before), 314 (after)

    Step 10

    Protein: 38g

    Step 11

    Carbohydrates: 32g

    Step 12

    Cholesterol: 59mg

    Step 13

    Fiber: 18g

    Step 14

    Sodium: 1,382mg

Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.