Weight Watchers Mexican Casserole

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Weight Watchers Mexican Casserole is a highly spicy dish. It is quite cheesy, rich, and spicy. This casserole consists of piles of beans, vegetables, salsa & thin meat. It is very easy to make and perfect to make in bulk. Mexican casserole with Weight Watchers is not heavy. It suits so well into your points system. It is as cosy as a cheesy bake yet has smart ingredients. Serve it with a side salad or pieces of avocado. Weight Watchers Mexican Casserole is suitable for family dinners or lunches in the middle of the week.

STATS:

  • Diet: Weight Watchers, Low-Calorie
  • Course: Main
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
  • 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: Oven

EQUIPMENT:

  • 9×9-inch casserole dish
  • Skillet or sauté pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Oven

INGREDIENTS:

  • One pound of extra-lean ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • One minced garlic clove
  • A single cup of cleaned and dehydrated canned black beans
  • One cup of corn that has been frozen
  • 1 cup of chunky, sugar-free salsa
  • Half a cup of chopped tomatoes
  • One teaspoon of chili powder
  • Half a teaspoon of cumin
  • To taste, add salt and pepper. 1/2 a cup of shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • Cut six tiny corn tortillas into quarters.
  • Spray for cooking

INGREDIENT NOTES:

Ground Meat:

  • Lean turkey or lean chicken-99 percent. It reduces the points and keeps the amount of protein high.

Beans and Corn:

  • Black beans are bulky and contain fiber. Frozen corn adds sweetness and texture Frozen corn adds sweetness and texture.

Salsa and tomatoes:

  • Put salsa that is free of sugar. It makes it drier and more flavorful. The sauce is constructed using tomatoes.

Cheese:

  • Slashed-fat cheddar adds one that is cheesy, with not too many points. Put in only what is necessary to flavor.

Corn Tortillas:

  • They are cut into chunks and stacked like a lasagna. You can use whole-grain tortillas instead.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Warm up the oven to 375°F, or 190°C.
  2. Apply cooking spray to your baking dish.
  3. Cook the garlic & onion in a skillet till they are tender.
  4. Heat till browned after adding the ground turkey.
  5. Add the salsa, tomatoes, legumes, corn, & spices and stir.
  6. To allow flavors to meld, simmer for five minutes.
  7. Half of the tortilla pieces should be layered in the casserole.
  8. Spoon half of the animal protein mixture over them.
  9. Sprinkle some cheese on top.
  10. Proceed with the additional crackers and chicken.
  11. Use the remaining cheese for the topping.
  12. Cook it for 20 to 25 minutes, till it starts bubbling.
  13. Before slicing, you must wait for five minutes.

AIR FRYER:

  1. Put in a baking dish that can be used with an air fryer.
  2. Put together the casserole as normal.
  3. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Wrap a foil around the dish.
  5. Cook in an air fryer at 15 to 18 minutes.
  6. If preferred, heat for an additional five minutes after removing the foil to ensure the cheese is bubbling and golden.

SLOW COOKER:

  1. Fry the meat in a skillet with onion and garlic.
  2. Place everything in the slow cooker, excluding the cheese.
  3. Put layers of tortillas between the mixture.
  4. Simmer over low for 4 to 5 hours or high for two to three hours.
  5. Add cheese, sprinkle on top & cover for 15 minutes before serving.

TIPS:

  • Chopped peppers or zucchini can be added to get additional vegetables.
  • Season with some lime juice and serve.
  • Fine with cilantro or green onions as the final taste.
  • Want spice? Add jalapenos to it or as toppings.
  • Chop up and freeze as single portions, making them easy to prepare.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

  • Keep any leftovers in a tightly closed container. For at least four days, it was left over fresh. Heat it up next time in the oven.

FREEZER:

  • Store portions in tightly sealed containers for later use. Best used within two months. Refrigerate overnight to thaw, then gently reheat.

FAQs:

May I use fat-free cheese?

  • Yes, but it may not melt so well. There is improved texture with reduced fat.

Is it gluten-free?

  • Healthier tortillas and extra salsa & spices.

Are you able to vegetarianize it?

  • Yes. Substitute the meat with additional beans or cooked lentils.

May I include rice?

  • Sure. add 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice to the filling to make the meal heartier.

Does this work for meal prep?

  • Yes. Freeze or put in the fridge until needed.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 290
Carbs: 28g
Protein: 23g
Fiber: 6g
Fat: 9g
Calcium: 120mg
Iron: 2mg
Sodium: 400mg
Potassium: 420mg
Serving size: 1 piece
Total yield: 6 servings
The total Weight Watchers points per serving for Weight Watchers Mexican Casserole is estimated at 5 points.