Okay, you guys — can we speak about how a lot I’ve been OBSESSING over this weight watcher taco casserole recipe recently?! Like, it has genuinely taken over my total mind. It hits all one of the best components of tex-mex delicacies — tacky, saucy, somewhat smoky, whole consolation meals — and in some way manages to maintain these WW factors completely manageable. I actually can’t even with how good that is. It’s grow to be one among my absolute go-to straightforward weeknight dinners, and actually? The complete household is totally obsessed. We’re speaking zero complaints from the choosy crowd at my desk, which is mainly a miracle. In the event you love a comfy dish that feels indulgent however gained’t blow your factors for the day, buckle up, buddy. That is SO your recipe. 🌮❤️

Why This Is a Variation of My Favourite Weight Watchers Taco Casserole Recipe

I’ve made each taco casserole recipe beneath the solar, I promise you. However this one? It’s really a variation of my favourite weight watchers-friendly model as a result of it swaps out heavy components with out sacrificing these scrumptious flavors of black bean tacos and traditional Tex-Mex vibes. Consider it because the cozier cousin of a taco salad — deconstructed, layered, and baked into a beautiful family-size bake. The fundamental components are stuff you most likely have already got, which makes meal planning SO a lot simpler. And since that is mainly one among my skinny ms. faves, I needed to share it with you in good religion. Belief me on this one. It belongs firmly in your meal prep rotation! 🙌

The Components That Make This a Wholesome Taco Casserole

Right here’s the place the magic occurs, you guys! The star proteins listed here are lean floor turkey or lean floor beef — each work fantastically to brown floor beef or turkey in a big nonstict skillet over medium-high warmth till golden brown. We’re additionally loading up on black beans, pinto beans, and refried beans (whats up, seasoned beans scenario!), plus a vegetable combination of bell peppers and further veggies for coloration and crunch. For the creamy issue, plain greek yogurt and nonfat bitter cream (and even cottage cheese for a unique texture!) stand in for heavy stuff. A swirl of ½ cup salsa verde, some taco sauce, tomato paste, and taco seasoning with chili powder tie all of it collectively. So many scrumptious flavors packed into one baking dish! 🌶️

How you can Construct Your Skinny Taco Casserole Layer by Layer

Okay so right here’s how we truly construct this yummy taco casserole! First, f. coat your casserole dish (or use a casserole liner or aluminum foil for straightforward cleanup — you’re welcome!). Seize a big nonstick skillet over medium warmth and cook dinner your meat combination with taco seasoning till attractive. Now layer half of the tortilla — I like corn tortillas right here for that incredible corn taste and entire grains goodness — in a single layer on the underside of your baking dish. Add half of bean combination, then the meat, then your vegetable combination. Repeat your layers of tortillas and the remaining half of bean combination. Pour over the taco sauce, sprinkle cheese on high (we wish all of the melty cheese!), and get it into that preheated oven. Whole time is about 30-35 minutes! 🧀

WW Factors, Dietary Values, and Good Swaps

Let’s get into the WW factors scenario as a result of that’s actually why we’re all right here, proper?! 😂 This pleasant taco casserole is designed to maintain issues low fats and lightweight with out feeling unhappy about it — no unhappy eating regimen meals vitality HERE. Utilizing plain greek yogurt as a substitute of bitter cream, low fats cheese, and protecting small servings in thoughts helps preserve the every day worth of energy and fats actually affordable. Brown rice on the aspect is a good way to bulk up your serving of meals whereas staying on the zero level meals checklist aspect of issues. Swapping tortilla chips for corn tortillas saves main factors too! And hey, for those who love a superb casserole scenario, my candy potato casserole with canned yams is one other cozy household dinners winner. 💛

Toppings, Suggestions, and a Rooster Taco Casserole Recipe Twist

The toppings are WHERE IT’S AT, individuals! Pile on contemporary cilantro, inexperienced onions, cup scallions, black olives, and contemporary tomatoes for wholesome taco casserole vibes that really feel completely restaurant-worthy. You too can do a hen taco casserole recipe twist by subbing shredded hen — such a straightforward technique to change issues up! Use cooking spray in your baking dish, and don’t skip the printable procuring lists technique to make meal prep a BREEZE. This tacky taco bake is actually a kind of cozy dish recipes that brings one of the best components collectively for the entire household. Additionally, for those who’re into cozy casserole bakes past Mexican casserole nights, try this wonderful pumpkin french toast casserole — it’s giving wholesome taco casserole vibes however make it breakfast. Now GO make this! 🌮🎉

Weight Watcher Taco Casserole Recipe

Yield:
8 Servings

Prep Time:
quarter-hour

Prepare dinner Time:
quarter-hour

Bake Time:
half-hour

Whole Time:
1 hour

This lighter, vegetarian-friendly taco casserole delivers all of the daring, satisfying flavors you’re keen on with out the guilt. Filled with protein-rich beans, colourful veggies, and simply sufficient cheese to maintain issues scrumptious, it is a weeknight dinner win the entire household will request many times.

Components

For the Base

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with inexperienced chiles, drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium pink bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium inexperienced bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet (1 oz) low-sodium taco seasoning
• ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

For the Layers

• 6 small corn tortillas, lower into strips or quarters
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican mix cheese, divided
• ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (as a bitter cream substitute)

For Topping

• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• ¼ cup pickled jalapeño slices (optionally available)
• 2 tablespoons contemporary cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, lower into wedges

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Flippantly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and put aside.
2. Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the diced onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring sometimes, till softened.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook dinner for an additional 1 minute till aromatic.
4. Stir within the black beans, pinto beans, drained diced tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning, and vegetable broth. Cut back warmth to low and simmer for five minutes, stirring sometimes, till the combination thickens barely. Take away from warmth.
5. Unfold half of the bean and vegetable combination evenly throughout the underside of the ready baking dish. Layer half of the tortilla strips over the filling. Sprinkle ½ cup of the shredded cheese over the tortilla layer.
6. Repeat with the remaining bean combination, tortilla strips, and the ultimate ½ cup of cheese on high.
7. Cowl the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Take away the foil and bake for an extra 10 minutes, or till the cheese is melted, bubbly, and calmly golden on the sides.
8. Take away the casserole from the oven and let it relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.
9. High with shredded romaine, diced contemporary tomato, cilantro, and jalapeño slices if desired. Spoon into parts and add a dollop of Greek yogurt on high of every serving. Squeeze contemporary lime juice over every little thing for a vibrant, zesty end.

Notes

Make it spicier by including a diced jalapeño to the vegetable sauté or utilizing a scorching taco seasoning mix. For further protein, stir in a cup of cooked quinoa. This casserole is meal-prep pleasant — assemble as much as 24 hours forward, cowl, and refrigerate; add 5–10 minutes to the lined baking time if going straight from the fridge to the oven. Leftovers preserve lined within the fridge for as much as 4 days. To freeze, wrap tightly and retailer for as much as 3 months; thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.