This 21 Day Fix Lazy Zucchini Enchilada Skillet is an easy, low carb and no yellow way to get all the flavors of enchiladas, but with the veggie goodness of zucchini instead of tortillas!
Apparently it was National Zucchini Day the other day…and I guess I missed it. Ooops. I need to somehow note these social-media-created food holidays a little better for next year. But, seriously, I already feel like my life has been taken over by my zucchini crop and I’ve been busy making everything zucchini from pancakes to pizza.
Oh – and enchiladas.
A lazy, one skillet Zucchini Enchilada Bake, that is. Much like my 21 Day Fix One Skillet Lazy Zucchini Lasagna and my 21 Day Fix Lazy Butternut Squash Lasagna, this tasty dinner is low carb with zucchini taking place of the corn tortillas. This was inspired by an awesome recipe video that I kept getting tagged in on Facebook where thinly sliced zucchini was used as the tortilla in a chicken enchilada meal.
It honestly looked dreamy.
But I would literally be dreaming if I had time to slice and stuff a bunch of zucchini so perfectly. So instead, I threw the ingredients together in a skillet and, I have to say, it’s still pretty dreamy.
What’s not to love? Cheesy, melty deliciousness with just the right amount of homemade enchilada sauce to trick your brain into thinking you are eating something totally off plan.
I tried this with both ground turkey and diced chicken…I actually think it would be delicious with shredded chicken, but the point of my version of this dish is ease and I felt like precooking and shredding chicken was a deal breaker. Ain’t nothing lazy about that.
The ground turkey was just better than the diced chicken, too…the texture was perfect where I feel like diced chicken can dry out too quick, especially when you are melting cheese under a broiler.
That being said, you could easily make this with ground chicken or ground beef and it would be SOOO good. And if you happen to have shredded chicken on hand, give it a try and let me know what you think!
To keep with the lazy theme, my homemade enchilada sauce is stupidly easy to make. I used it for 21 Day Fix Enchilada Beef Dip, Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza, and I actually have a soup I need to share with you where I also use it. All you need is a can of tomato sauce and some pantry spices.
And to make the sauce taste just a little naughtier, I added cottage cheese and plain Greek yogurt to it before throwing it over the veggies in the skillet.
I promise you. You will not taste either one. You will only taste cheesy goodness.
I mean…look at this.
You could totally serve this in a tortilla if you want to, but I swear you won’t need it. It’s so good and so filling on it’s own.
I actually had it for lunch the day I was testing it out and I was so full for hours which almost never happens.
Anyway, go ahead and celebrate a belated zucchini day with this totally FIX approved skillet and maybe even make yourself a skinny margarita with it, too. After all, it’s a holiday! And if you need more zucchini recipes, check out this round up!
Want to see this Zucchini Enchilada Skillet on a Meal Plan? Check out this post!
Lazy Zucchini Enchilada Skillet
Ingredients
For the Enchilada Sauce
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder or more to taste
For the skillet
- 2 teaspoons olive oil plus olive oil cooking spray
- 1 lb lean ground turkey chicken, or beef
- 1/4 diced red onion
- 3 cups zucchini sliced into thin half moons
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup enchilada sauce see recipe above
- 1 cup cottage cheese I use the 2% one
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Mix tomato sauce with spices to make the enchilada sauce. Set aside.
- In a broil safe skillet, spray with olive oil cooking spray, then add in 2 tsp olive oil. Brown ground meat on medium heat until cooked through. Add in garlic, sprinkle of salt, garlic powder, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the enchilada sauce. Saute for an additional minute.
- Stir in onions and zucchini and cook over medium low heat until veggies are tender, but still fork crisp. If you like them softer, cook for a few more minutes until desired tenderness.
- Mix cottage cheese and Greek yogurt together with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Add enchilada sauce. Pour sauce mixture into the skillet over veggies and meat. Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat, gently spreading the sauce mixture evenly in the pan.
- Top with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and place in broiler on high until cheese begins to melt and turn golden brown.
- Garnish with cilantro and use a slotted spoon to serve to help drain any excess liquid from the zucchini.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Jennifer says
Could you use frozen zucchini for this recipe?
Nicole Farrell says
This was delicious! I added a half of can of Rotel and almost a full can of black beans. Will definitely be making this again.
Nancylynn says
Oh nice additions! Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment on the recipe!
Taylor Kam says
Love how easy and yummy this meal is! So perfect to make ahead and divide into four for lunch all week 🙂
Nancylynn says
Ahhh! This makes me happy! Thank you, Taylor!
Amy Steinman says
SO good!!! Thank you!
Nancylynn says
Thank you for your comment!
Samantha says
This was delicious!! We will definitely be making it again. Thank you.
Angela Heyde says
This is a favorite in regular rotation at my house!
Sherry says
This dish is delicious! My husband and son were skeptical but went back for seconds. This is also great the next day.
Nancylynn says
That’s wonderful, Sherry! Thanks for taking the time to rate and review!
D says
Bought the enchilada sauce instead of following the recipe but I absolutely love this!!! Also couldn’t find the nutritional facts only the serving size.
Nancylynn says
I don’t usually post nutritional info because I find it to be unreliable. But you can use this site – https://www.myfitnesspal.com/
Michelle says
What size pan do you use for this and for the lasagna skillet? Thinking about getting a cast iron pan for these types of recipes but not sure what size would be best.
Nancylynn says
Mine is about ten inches!
Kathy says
This was yummy, as usual!
Julie V. says
This was great and is now part of our regular rotation! Thank you!!
Nancylynn says
YES!!! Thank you so much, Julie!
Jaime says
Do you blend the cottage cheese and yogurt to make it smooth? Or add the curds right in?
Nancylynn says
I just add it in…they melt away when cooking!
Amy says
Hey there!! I just made this tonight & it was DELICIOUS!! I think you could do it in the IP after sautéing the meat!! I’m literally going to make this every week!! My seven year old even ate a huge piece of zucchini knowing it was on his fork!! #ForTheWin
Nancylynn says
Oh my goodness – for the win is right!! That’s huge, momma! And I have been meaning to try this one and the one skillet lasagna in the IP…I will give it a try and let you know! Thanks so much, Amy!
Bethany says
Could you make this as a casserole and freeze it?
Nancylynn says
Yes!
Tricia says
This was so delicious, I love all your recipes !
Nancylynn says
Thank you, Tricia! <3
TJ says
Hi, which 21 day fix container did you use to measure your serving?
Thanks
Nancylynn says
Divide your skillet into quarters and you are good!
Linda says
I made this tonight for dinner. It was sooooo good! I have made several of your recipes and my husband and I have loved them! Keep up the good work!
Nancylynn says
I am SO happy to hear the blog is helping!!! Thank you!!! <3
Shannon says
I made this for dinner tonight and it SO YUMMY! I keep coming back to your blog for recipes, thanks for all you do!
Nancylynn says
Aghh!! Thank you, Shannon!!! I am SO happy to hear the blog is helping you – my day is made!!! <3 <3
Linda says
Can you please tell me how much is a serving? I can’t find it…probably right in front of me:) Thank you.
Nancylynn says
1/4 of the pan! Mmmmmmmmmmmm!
Annette says
Thank you for this! It is amazing and very easy we love it.
Nancylynn says
You are SOOOO welcome!!!!! <3
Marie B says
any suggestions for a substitution if you don’t like cottage cheese?
Nancylynn says
You won’t taste it, but you could use ricotta cheese instead! Otherwise, just leave it out completely and it will still be SOOOO good!