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#Turkey Enchilada Meatloaf with a secret #ingredient that keeps this meal moist and delicious. #recipe ohsweetbasil.com

Remember those crazy delicious 7-layer dip deep fried taquitos that I made for Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans? Well, we decided to try out another recipe using the same refried beans and this turkey meatloaf was quite adventurous for me. I know, meatloaf seems the opposite of adventurous, but other than this meatloaf recipe I’ve never really had one that I love. Until now.  This meatloaf is to die for delicious and so moist!

#Turkey Enchilada Meatloaf with a secret #ingredient that keeps this meal moist and delicious. #recipe ohsweetbasil.com

Both Mr. Handsome and I feel that many meatloaf recipes are so dry and grainy in texture. It’s like a bad hamburger. We lightened things up with turkey versus ground beef and threw out a little Mexican love with a delicious enchilada theme, which is where the secret ingredient comes from. Old El Paso Refried Beans, baby! Alright, I’ll admit that putting refried beans in meatloaf does sound a little crazy, but honestly they kept the meat together and really moist. Plus we added an egg and Panko breadcrumbs from Progresso to help.

#Turkey Enchilada Meatloaf with a secret #ingredient that keeps this meal moist and delicious. #recipe ohsweetbasil.com

So now that we’ve gotten everything all tender and moist, we needed to bump up the flavor. I mean, this is enchilada meatloaf right?! We stuffed this baby full of Tillamook Pepperjack cheese (you all know how I feel about my dairy) and cumin and chili powder seasoning. And I promise it is not spicy at all. All of these things just provide and umph of spice and depth of flavor to the meat. Once everything was placed in the loaf pan we decided to really make this like an enchilada and we whipped up a delicious enchilada sauce to pour over the top.

#Turkey Enchilada Meatloaf with a secret #ingredient that keeps this meal moist and delicious. #recipe ohsweetbasil.com

That sauce keeps the meat wonderful and adds a yummy dip for serving. It was really simple to make too. Just three ingredients and you can use the leftover for real enchiladas later in the week. Ohhhhh, actually that’s a good idea! I totally need to do that! We used Old El Paso Red Enchilada Sauce, Cacique Crema (or sour cream if you can’t find it) and honey. That’s it! Easy peasy, and the whole family will love it. We served ours with a big salad full of pico de gallo, avocado, veggies, and a spicy ranch dressing.

Is Ground Turkey Healthier Than Ground Beef?

Ground turkey is slightly higher in cholesterol than ground beef.

Turkey is a lean protein, but, if you buy lean ground beef, 95% lean, it is about the same as lean ground turkey.

Ground turkey is usually less expensive than lean ground beef.

What Kind Of Beans Are Used In Refried Beans?

Refried beans are most commonly made from pinto beans.

Pinto beans are high in fiber, which helps to stabilize blood sugar, and improve digestive health.

What Are Panko Bread Crumbs Made From?

Panko is made from bread baked by electrical current, which yields a bread without a crust, and then grinding the bread to create fine slivers of crumb.

Turkey Meatloaf Enchilada Style

1.23 from 9 votes

Turkey Meatloaf Enchilada Style

By Sweet Basil
Prep20 minutes
Cook1 minute
Total21 minutes
Servings6
This meatloaf is to die for delicious and so moist!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Turkey
  • 1 Cup Refried Beans, Old El Paso Traditional
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1/4 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 Cup Pepperjack Cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt and Pepper

For the Sauce

  • 1 Cup Enchilada Sauce
  • 1/2 Cup Crema Mexicana
  • 1/2 Cup Honey

Instructions 

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place the turkey in a large bowl. Add the refried beans, egg, chili powder, cumin, panko bread crumbs, cheese and salt and pepper. Stir everything together, being careful not to overmix.
    1 1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Turkey, 1 Cup Refried Beans, 1 Cup Pepperjack Cheese, 1 Egg, 1/4 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder, 1/2 teaspoon Cumin, 1/4 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
  • Press the meat loaf mixture into a small loaf pan, and set in the fridge, covered, for 10-15 minutes. [b]see note[/b]
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the enchilada sauce, crema mexicana and honey.
    1 Cup Enchilada Sauce, 1/2 Cup Crema Mexicana, 1/2 Cup Honey
  • Remove the meat loaf from the fridge and pour the enchilada sauce over the top. We had some left over which we reserved for enchiladas later in the week.
  • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, tented with tinfoil for 10-15 minutes so the meat doesn't break apart when you are trying to remove that first piece.

Recipe Notes

If you cannot find Crema Mexicana (it's found in the cheese section) you may substitute sour cream.
Meat loaf will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 347kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 106mg, Sodium: 865mg, Potassium: 375mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 562IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 167mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

More Great Meatloaf Recipes

The Perfect Meatloaf-Sweet Basil

Delicious Meatloaf-Barbara Bakes

Turkey Pesto Meatloaf-Kalyn’s Kitchen

About The Author

Carrian Cheney

Carrian Cheney is the creative force behind ‘Oh, Sweet Basil,’ a food blog she co-authors with her husband, Cade. She creates fresh, family-friendly recipes that encourage togetherness in the kitchen.

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1.23 from 9 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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34 Comments

  1. ashley - baker by nature says:

    My boyfriend has been begging me to make meatloaf lately… this one might actually be the perfect compromise for my non meatloaf loving heart!!! Looks incredible!

  2. Carla @ Carlas Confections says:

    Wow! What a fun variation of meatloaf!! Love the adventurous refried beans too! 😀

  3. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says:

    Okay, girl .. you have me drooling! I LOVE meatloaf and I LOVE enchiladas. Combining the two into some kind of magical fusion dinner is brilliant!

  4. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Such a brilliant version of a meatloaf 🙂 my husband would adore this!

  5. Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie says:

    Whoa! Beans in meatloaf – it sounds so adventurous…and delicious! I’m a sucker for anything Mexican so this is right up my alley 🙂 and I love that you pour enchilada sauce over the top! Yum!

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      totally different huh? You can’t even tell they are in there, but they keep everything moist and flavorful. And I’m all about the Mexican. Someday we should grab a bunch of bloggers and have mexican

  6. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says:

    What a great idea to put beans in the meatloaf…I am really loving the fun mexican twist to the meatloaf! I think I need this soon!!!

  7. Amy says:

    What was the spicy ranch you used on your salad?
    Store bought or homemade?

  8. Joanne says:

    I love the out-of-the-box flavors you’ve infused into this! Sounds super tasty!

  9. Marysue says:

    Oh, Sweet Basil…I bet you would love my meatloaf recipe. I start with sautéing finely diced carrots, onions, celery, and bell pepper…and the selfishness just goes from there! I’ll share if you would like to have it, but I’m almost embarrassed to say that because I’m just a housewife and crazy cook! But I love good food.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      I’d love to hear your recipe! Feel free to email it over any time. I bet you’re a wonderful cook.

  10. Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says:

    Such a fun twist on meatloaf. Love how you spiced it up.

    1. Sweet Basil says:

      thanks Barbara!