Flavorful Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza: Your Healthy Leftover Dream Meal (21 Day Fix Approved!)
Who says comfort food can’t be healthy? This Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza proves it’s not only possible but incredibly delicious! Made with savory leftover pork carnitas, a vibrant homemade enchilada sauce, crisp peppers, sweet onions, and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, it’s a meal that hits all the right notes. Best of all, it’s a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers and it’s proudly 21 Day Fix approved, making it a guilt-free indulgence for any day of the week.
Confession #28: I absolutely adore holiday cooking and menu planning. The joy of creating elaborate meals for family and friends is unmatched. However, my enthusiasm often leads to one common outcome: an abundance of delicious leftovers. Take last week, for example. Cinco De Mayo didn’t just last a day; it blossomed into a week-long fiesta, filled with all my favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
The silver lining to this delightful excess? Amazing new dishes are born from the remnants of previous feasts. This Flatout pork enchiladas flatbread pizza is a shining example of how good things truly come out of leftovers. It’s an ingenious way to transform something good into something even better, and have dinner on the table in minutes. There’s always something to celebrate, especially when it involves transforming a classic into a quick and easy new favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza
This recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a testament to convenience, flavor, and smart eating. Here’s why this enchilada flatbread pizza will quickly become a household favorite:
- Effortless Transformation: It brilliantly repurposes leftover pork carnitas, giving them a whole new lease on life and preventing food waste.
- Speedy Preparation: With pre-cooked meat and flatbread as a base, this pizza comes together in mere minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of homemade enchilada sauce, seasoned pork, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese creates a rich, satisfying taste profile.
- Healthy & Balanced: Designed to be 21 Day Fix approved, it’s a meal you can feel good about, fitting perfectly into a healthy eating plan without sacrificing taste.
- Customizable: Easily adapt toppings to suit your preferences or whatever fresh veggies you have on hand.
The Magic of Leftovers: Transforming Pork Carnitas
Leftover pork carnitas are a gift that keeps on giving. Their tender texture and deep, savory flavor make them incredibly versatile. While delicious in tacos or burritos, transforming them into an enchilada flatbread pizza offers a fresh and exciting twist. This approach not only prevents food waste but also adds an element of gourmet innovation to your weeknight meals.
Maximizing Flavor with Pork Carnitas
The beauty of pork carnitas lies in their rich, slow-cooked goodness. When used on a pizza, they provide a hearty and flavorful base that stands up well to the bold enchilada sauce. If you don’t have carnitas, any shredded pork or even chicken will work wonderfully. The key is to ensure your meat is already seasoned and cooked to perfection, as this will infuse the pizza with maximum flavor from the very first bite.
The Convenience Factor
The convenience of using pre-cooked leftovers cannot be overstated. It slashes preparation time significantly, turning what could be an hour-long cooking session into a quick 20-minute endeavor. This makes it a perfect solution for those evenings when you crave a homemade meal but are short on time. Just assemble, bake, and enjoy!
Crafting Your Homemade Enchilada Sauce
While store-bought enchilada sauce is an option, making your own at home is surprisingly simple and yields a far superior flavor. Plus, you have complete control over the ingredients, avoiding unwanted additives or excessive sodium.
Why Homemade? Freshness and Control
A homemade enchilada sauce brings a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. Starting with a simple can of tomato sauce, you infuse it with a blend of classic Mexican spices. This allows you to adjust the heat and seasoning to your exact preference. Not only is it fresher, but it also gives you the satisfaction of creating a key component of your meal from scratch. Make a larger batch and freeze the excess; it’s a brilliant meal prep hack that ensures you always have delicious sauce on hand for future pizzas, enchiladas, or other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Simple Ingredients, Bold Flavor
The magic of homemade enchilada sauce comes from a few essential spices. Chili powder forms the backbone, providing a warm, earthy base. Cumin adds a distinctive smoky, savory note, while dried oregano lends a hint of herbaceous freshness. Garlic and onion powder complete the aromatic profile, creating a well-rounded sauce that perfectly complements the rich pork carnitas and sharp cheddar cheese. Don’t be shy about tasting and adjusting the chili powder to reach your desired level of spice!
Building Your Perfect Flatbread Pizza
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With a few key components, you can assemble a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.
The Flatbread Base: Crisp and Convenient
For this recipe, we recommend using Flatout Wraps as the pizza base. They crisp up beautifully in the oven, providing a sturdy yet light foundation for your toppings. Lightly spraying them with olive oil before a quick pre-bake ensures a perfectly golden and crunchy crust. If you don’t have Flatout wraps, any thin flatbread, pita bread, or even large tortillas can be used, though cooking times might vary slightly. The goal is a crispy, satisfying base that can hold all your delicious toppings.
Essential Toppings: Peppers, Onions, and Cheese
Beyond the glorious pork carnitas and homemade enchilada sauce, the choice of toppings makes all the difference. Diced green peppers add a fresh, slightly bitter crunch, while diced red onions contribute a subtle sweetness and a vibrant color. Shredded cheddar cheese melts into a gooey, savory layer, tying all the flavors together. Feel free to use a Mexican blend cheese for an extra kick of flavor.
Customization Ideas for Your Flatbread Pizza
This recipe is incredibly flexible. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
- Protein Swaps: Not a fan of pork? Leftover shredded chicken, ground turkey, or even black beans for a vegetarian option work wonderfully.
- Veggie Boost: Add corn, black olives, diced tomatoes, or a sprinkle of cilantro after baking for extra freshness.
- Spice Level: Increase the chili powder in the sauce for more heat, or add a dash of cayenne pepper. A drizzle of hot sauce at the end is also a great option.
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with Monterey Jack, Colby, or a spicy pepper jack cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Garnish Galore: Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt (as a healthy sour cream alternative), fresh avocado slices, or a squeeze of lime juice for brightness.
A 21 Day Fix Approved Delight
For those following the 21 Day Fix program, finding delicious, compliant meals that don’t feel restrictive can be a game-changer. This Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza is designed to fit perfectly into your container counts, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying comfort food without derailing your progress.
Understanding the 21 Day Fix Containers
The 21 Day Fix program simplifies healthy eating by using color-coded containers for different food groups. This recipe is carefully crafted to align with these guidelines, making it easy to track your macros. Each serving of this flatbread pizza breaks down into:
- 1 Green Container (Vegetables): From the peppers, onions, and tomato sauce.
- 1 Yellow Container (Carbohydrates): From the Flatout wrap.
- 1/2 Blue Container (Healthy Fats/Seeds/Cheese): From the cheddar cheese.
- 1/2 Red Container (Protein): From the pork carnitas.
This thoughtful breakdown ensures you’re getting a balanced meal with plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and healthy carbs, all while staying within your daily container allowance. It’s truly a healthy comfort food that satisfies both your taste buds and your fitness goals.
Healthy Comfort Food: A Reality
Often, people associate comfort food with unhealthy, heavy dishes. This recipe challenges that notion by proving that comfort can be clean. The homemade sauce is free from excessive sugars and unhealthy fats, the flatbread is a lighter alternative to traditional pizza dough, and the lean pork combined with fresh vegetables makes for a nutrient-dense meal. It’s warm, satisfying, and deeply flavorful, all while supporting your health journey.
Step-by-Step Recipe: Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza
Enchilada Pizza
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Quick enchilada sauce
- 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
- 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 Pizza
- 4 Flatout Wraps
- 1 cup Shredded pork carnitas or chicken
- 1/2 cup Diced green pepper
- 1/4 cup Diced red onion
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the tomato sauce with the dried oregano, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Taste and adjust chili powder to your preferred spice level. If you have excess sauce, consider freezing it in small portions for future quick meals!
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray your Flatout Wraps on both sides with olive oil spray.
-
Place the plain wraps directly on the oven grate (or a baking sheet) and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the wrap just begins to crisp up. This step helps create a sturdy, slightly crunchy crust that won’t get soggy under the toppings.
-
Carefully remove the semi-crisp wraps from the oven. Using your 21 Day Fix containers to measure for accuracy, begin layering your ingredients: start with a generous spread of the homemade enchilada sauce, followed by an even layer of your shredded pork carnitas (or chicken), then the diced green pepper, red onion, and finally, a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese.
-
Feeling extra saucy? Drizzle a little more enchilada sauce over the top of your assembled pizza for an extra burst of flavor before the final bake!
-
Return the pizzas to the oven and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, and the edges of the flatbread are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g
Sodium: 823mg
Potassium: 532mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 1036IU
Vitamin C: 12mg
Calcium: 31mg
Iron: 2mg
Tips for Success with Your Flatbread Pizza
- Don’t Overload: While tempting, too many toppings can make the flatbread soggy. Stick to a balanced amount for the best crispness.
- Even Distribution: Spread your sauce and toppings evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
- High Heat, Quick Bake: Flatbreads cook quickly. A preheated oven ensures a fast, crispy finish without drying out the toppings.
- Serve Immediately: For optimal crispiness, enjoy your flatbread pizza fresh out of the oven.
- Meal Prep the Sauce: As mentioned, make a double or triple batch of the enchilada sauce and freeze it in individual portions. Thaw it whenever you’re ready for a quick pizza or enchilada night.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use other meats for this flatbread pizza?
Absolutely! While pork carnitas are fantastic, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!), ground turkey, or even cooked lean ground beef can be used. Just make sure the meat is seasoned well to complement the enchilada flavors.
How can I make this vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply swap the pork for black beans or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and zucchini. You can also add corn or extra bell peppers. The enchilada sauce and cheese will still provide a rich, satisfying flavor.
How long does homemade enchilada sauce last?
Homemade enchilada sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
Can I prepare parts of this pizza in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the enchilada sauce ahead of time. You can also dice your peppers and onions and store them in the refrigerator. This will make assembly on pizza night even quicker. The pork carnitas, being leftovers, are already ready to go!
Join Our Fit Foodie Community!
Are you on a 21 Day Fix journey and looking for support? You don’t have to go it alone! I’d love to coach you. Contact me at trueconfessionsofafitfoodie AT gmail DOT com to join my current challenge group. This vibrant community offers daily motivation, fresh recipe ideas (like this delicious flatbread pizza!), and the unwavering support of over 200 amazing women who are all working towards their health and fitness goals.
For even more delicious and 21 Day Fix compliant recipes, be sure to check out my Etsy Shop. There, you’ll find a variety of 21 Day Fix eBooks packed with full grocery lists, valuable prep tips, and easy-to-follow recipes designed to make your healthy eating journey both enjoyable and sustainable.
This Pork Enchiladas Flatbread Pizza is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of smart cooking, healthy living, and the joy of transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Enjoy every delicious, guilt-free bite!