Weight Watchers Burrito Casserole

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This Weight Watchers Burrito Casserole combines all of the flavors of a traditional burrito, including seasoned beef, beans, cheese, and tortillas, to make a hearty and filling meal. It’s a simple, family-friendly meal that keeps your points under control without sacrificing flavor. Every bite of this Weight Watchers Burrito Casserole contains cheesy, spicy, and savory comfort food, but it is healthier and lighter. This casserole allows you to eat comfort food with a Mexican twist without feeling guilty, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.

NUMERICAL FACTS

  • Diet: WW-Friendly, low in calories
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican-inspired
  • Serving: Six servings
  • Course: Dinner or main
  • Prep done in fifteen minutes
  • Cook Time: Thirty-five minutes
  • The entire time will be fifty(50) minutes
  • Size/portion: 1 cup
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Mode of cooking: Oven-baked

TOOLS

  • Measuring cups
  • Cutting board
  • Large skillet
  • Aluminium foil
  • Baking dish 9 by 9 inches
  • Measuring spoon
  • Knife
  • Spatula or mixing spoon

INGREDIENTS

  • Fresh cilantro
  • 1 pound of chicken or turkey
  • Black pepper
  • 1 pack of taco seasoning
  • Salt
  • A 15-ounce can of black beans
  • 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
  • Cooked rice, one cup
  • A 10-oz can of green chili-flavored diced tomatoes
  • Half a tsp. of garlic powder
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • Tortillas, four
  • 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
  • Fat-free refried beans, half a cup
  • 1/2 cup of cheese

INGREDIENT NOTES

BLACK BEANS

  • Strain and wash the black beans in a can first. They make your dish rich in protein and fiber without adding the points. You may use the kidney or pinto beans instead.

GREEK YOGURT

  • Using the fat-free Greek yogurt will cut down on fats and make your dish rich in protein. It replaces the sour cream while giving the same velvety texture and tart taste.

CHICKEN OR TURKEY

  • We will need extra-lean and ground turkey or chicken (~99% fat-free). it will keep the points low and make your dish protein-rich. Swap ground soy crumbles for a vegan twist.

CHEESE

  • Use shredded cheese with a lower fat content. The cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend will be perfect. This will provide you with cheesy goodness while keeping the points low.

TACO SEASONING

  • Go for the low-sodium version of taco seasoning so the salt control will be in your hands. If not found commercially, you can make it at home by just mixing garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and chili powder.

TORTILLAS

  • You will need the low-carb or whole wheat tortillas, cut into strips that help bind the casserole. These low-carb tortillas provide flavor and structure without carb overload.

RICE

  • We have the choice to use the brown rice that contains whole grain fiber or cauliflower rice that has the lowest carbohydrate content.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat your empty oven to 190 °C.
  2. Use non-stick spray to grease the dish so that the points will be lower than oil brushing.
  3. Over medium flame, cook the ground chicken or turkey in a large skillet.
  4. Moving it continuously using a spatula to break the lumps till the color changes.
  5. Cook until the ground meat becomes completely brown.
  6. Then, add taco seasoning with a little splash of water and mix well to coat evenly.
  7. Now, add black beans, cooked rice, diced onion, and tomatoes with chilies, along with all the spices.
  8. Cook it well for the next 4-5 minutes, then start assembling.
  9. The bottom of the oiled dish should have half of the refried beans spread out in a single layer.
  10. Over them, layer the tortilla strips to cover the beans properly.
  11. Next, cover the tortilla strips with a layer of the turkey mixture(ground).
  12. Now cover it with a thin layer of Greek yogurt and sprinkle a little cheese.
  13. Repeat all the layering steps till all your ingredients are used up.
  14. Add a final touch of shredded cheese and place foil over the dish.
  15. Keep it in the preheated oven for twenty minutes.
  16. Remove the foil after twenty minutes and give fifteen more minutes in the oven.
  17. When you observe that the cheese is bbbly and melty, shift it to the counter from the oven.
  18. After ten minutes, garnish it with chopped green onions or cilantro.
  19. Slice and serve this delicious Weight Watchers Burrito Casserole.

TIPS

  • It’s simple to turn it into a vegetarian meal by substituting lentils or beans for the meat.
  • You can reduce the points further by skipping the shredded cheese or replacing it with nutritional yeast.
  • Use a dash of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeño for a spicy kick.

STORAGE DIRECTIONS

FRIDGE

  • Pack the remaining casserole in a tightly sealed container or box and refrigerate for 4-5 days.

FREEZER

  • Cover the casserole with plastic wrap or aluminium foil after it has cooled fully or aluminium foil and freeze for 60-70 days. Move to the fridge a day before to defrost the casserole.

REHEATING

  • Use the oven at 190 °C to rewarm the casserole till it heats up thoroughly.

FAQs

Is that possible to make this casserole gluten-free?

  • Make sure your taco seasoning and beans are gluten-free, and choose the gluten-free tortillas. Following these steps will make your casserole perfectly suitable for celiac patients.

Will the fat-free cheese work better than reduced-fat cheese?

  • Fat-free cheese helps you lower the points further, but it will not give you that smooth, melty texture. If you want that smooth melt, then the reduced-fat version will be better.

Can I add vegetables of my choice?

  • Yes, adding low-carb vegetables will make your casserole rich in protein and make it filling without increasing the points. You may add spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, etc.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS/SERVING

Size/serve: One cup
The quantity of calories: ~240 kcal
Carbs(total): 26 g
Fiber: Five grams
Net carbs: 21 grams
Fat content: Seven grams
Sugar: 04 g
Proteins: Twenty-one grams
Sodium: 520 mg

This recipe contains ~6 total WW points per serving of this casserole