Weight Watchers Cheeseburger Casserole is hot, fatty, and tastes good. It is like a cheeseburger, but it is lighter and healthier. This casserole is made with lean ground meat and pasta, cheese & rich tomato sauce. It is simple to prepare and superb for family dinners. Weight Watchers Cheeseburger Casserole retains the warmth of a burger, only without the calories. This food is nutritious and can be eaten according to your meal schedule. It is possible to prepare it beforehand and put it in to bake later. This delicious dish is loved by everyone, including children. Have it during lunch, supper, or a weekend get-together. It is cheesy, creamy & delicious- yet Weight Watchers friendly.
STATS:
- Diet: WW, Low-Calorie
- Course: Main
- Cuisine: American
- Time for prep: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Working time (total): 45 minutes
- Size/serving: 1 square piece
- Total yield: 6 servings
- Level of difficulty: Easy
- Mode of cooking: Stovetop & baking
EQUIPMENT:
- Large skillet/pan
- Oven
- Casserole dish
- Mixing spoon
- Knife & cutting board
- Pot for pasta
- Colander
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup of raw whole grain pasta, such as penne/elbow
- A tablespoon of olive oil
- One little onion, diced
- 1 minced garlic clove
- A pound of extra-lean ground turkey or beef
- One cup of canned diced tomatoes without salt
- Half a cup of tomato sauce
- A single teaspoon of mustard
- One spoonful of low-sugar ketchup
- To taste, add salt and black pepper.
- Half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese without fat
- Two teaspoons of chopped (optional)
- Spray for cooking
INGREDIENTS NOTES:
Pasta:
- Whole grain pasta adds fiber and also allows the dish in WW points. It is also feasible to do with gluten-free pasta in case of a gluten-free diet.
Meat:
- Buy 99 percent ground turkey or beef meat to maintain the protein level and reduce fat content. It makes the casserole filling yet less weighty.
Tomatoes & Sauce:
- Tomatoes and Tomato sauce that are canned and do not contain extra sugar. This renders the taste in depth and does not make any unnecessary points.
Cheese:
- The cheddar can be fat-free or low-fat. It is easy to melt and also gives that cheese taste with fewer points and calories. Pickles:
Long term. They add the authenticity of a cheeseburger to the casserole. Put them on top before baking or just before they are served to get maximum texture.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Apply cooking spray to the casserole dish to grease it
- In a cooking pot, cook pasta in hot water
- Leave in the package till scarcely tender
- Pour off & leave aside
- Include onion & garlic
- Cook for two to three minutes
- Add meat and cook and brown
- Add tomato sauce & diced tomato
- Put in add mustard, ketchup, salt & pepper
- Slow cook for 5 minutes
- Add the prepared pasta to this. Stir well
- Oil the surface of the pan and pour the mixture into it
- Lay cheese on top
- Add cut-up pickles, in case
- Bake without a cover for 20 minutes
- The cheese is to melt and bubble
- Allow it to be coolish for 5 minutes and serve
TIPS:
- Add chili or crushed red pepper flakes to make it spicy.
- Add crushed mushrooms or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
- In this added flavor, use a blend of low-fat cheese and cheddar.
- For larger families or for preparing meals, increase the recipe.
- If you are only keeping track of portions for WW points, use a food scale.
- For a full dinner, serve with a clean green salad on the side.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Place chilled remains in an airtight sealed container. Store in a fridge for three to four days. Reheat in a small microwave or oven.
FREEZER:
- Wait for the food to cool entirely. It will stay frozen for at least two months. Overnight, thaw in the freezer. Warm up again till it’s hot.
FAQs:
Can I substitute ground chicken with beef or turkey?
- Yes, chicken meat has to do. Anything is just fine as long as it is lean. You will get a lot of good points and still taste great.
May I use other kinds of pasta?
- Yes. Penne, elbow, rotini, or even chickpea noodles work. When you keep exact count, just look at the serving size or points.
Is it something that I can prepare in advance?
- Yes. It is possible to prepare the meat and pasta prior to cooking. Refrigerate for one day. Gather, cook & serve when prepared.
How can I keep the cheese low-point?
- Try without fat, shredded cheese & low-fat mixtures. Dust lightly merely to cover.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 270
Carbs: 24g
Total carbs: 24g
Fiber: five g
Calcium: 80mg
Protein: 22g
Serving size: one portion
Sodium: 420mg
Serving: six servings total
The total Weight Watchers points per serving for Weight Watchers Cheeseburger Casserole is estimated at 2 SmartPoints.