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Here’s a healthy ground beef recipe that’s sure to please the entire family. It does mine.
It’s a lighter healthier take on a a recipe called Family Burrito Bake from the Pampered Chef Dinner in Your Deep Covered Baker (affiliate link) Cookbook, that’s already pretty healthy.
Recipe Notes
Because it’s made with corn tortillas – not flour – this quick and easy healthy dish is really more of a ground beef enchilada casserole or Mexican lasagna. (Burritos are traditionally made with flour tortillas, but would get soggy in a casserole dish (affiliate link) like this.
Regardless of what you call it, I love that this recipe makes for an easy and delicious dinner using common ingredients many people keep stocked in their kitchen.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole?
The original recipe has 340 calories calories – pretty good for such a hearty satisfying Mexican dish. I was able to shave off calories and WW Points by using fat-free refried beans, using reduced-fat cheese and cutting the amount of cheese in half.
According to my calculations this slimmed down version has about 298 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
6 SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
7 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Isn’t it great to be able to satisfy your cravings for Mexican food without guilt?
Recipe Substitutions
No ground beef? Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if you prefer. Chopped or shredded cooked chicken or turkey would also work well would also work well.
Serving Suggestions
Healthy sides that would go well with this Mexican inspired casserole include:
- Simple tossed green salad ( love the bagged chopped salads widely available in supermarkets these days.)
- Zucchini (sauteed, roasted or grilled
- Zucchini tomato mushroom skillet
- Zucchini noodles (Zoodles)
- Cauliflower rice (I love to keep a package or two in the freezer for when I’m too lazy to make it myself.)
If you’ve made this Protein Packed Beefy Enchilada Casserole, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates
Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (11 ounces) Mexican corn, drained
- 1 jar (12 ounces) chunky salsa
- 6 corn tortillas (6 inches each)
- 1 can (16 ounces) non-fat refried beans
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup grated reduced-fat Monterey Jack or Mexican style cheese blend
- Chopped fresh tomato and chopped fresh green onions for garnish (if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F degrees.
- Mist a large skillet (affiliate link) set over medium heat with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion, garlic and beef to the skillet, breaking up the beef and stirring until the beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain the beef mixture. Stir in the taco seasoning, corn and 1 cup of the salsa and mix well.
- In a small bowl (affiliate link), combine the refried beans and water until smooth and spreadable.
- To assemble, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place 2 tortillas over bottom of the dish. Cut one tortilla to fill any gaps as layers are assembled. Spread 1/3 beans evenly over tortillas. Top with 1/3 beef mixuture and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layers one time. Arrange remaining 2 tortillas over cheese. Top with remaining beans and beef mixture.
- Cover and bake in 400F degree oven until hot, about 25 minutes. Remove foil and top evenly with remaining salsa and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let rest and set for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh tomato and green onions if desired. Divide the casserole into 8 even servings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: the Pampered Chef Dinner in Your Deep Covered Baker (affiliate link) Cookbook
More WW Friendly Mexican Casserole Recipes
- Bubble Up Enchiladas – Bubble Up Enchiladas is a casserole dish (affiliate link) made with layers of biscuits, ground turkey and enchilada sauce, and topped with cheese. They call it Bubble Up because of the biscuits “bubble up” when they bake in the oven. (Recipe-Diaries)
- Healthy Taco Casserole – Healthy Taco Casserole with ground turkey, pinto beans, corn, salsa, and cheese makes a healthy, easy, and filling meal your whole family will love. (Slender Kitchen)
- Layered Chicken Enchilada Bake – If you love Mexican flavors and you are looking for a meaty, cheesy, saucy casserole that will fill you up and satisfy your cravings, this Layered Chicken Enchilada Bake is for you. (Emily Bites)
- Skinny Beef & Bean Enchilada Casserole – Forget all the tortilla rolling, I’ve got a skinny twist that’s easy to assemble and really, really good. This casserole has many of the same ingredients of a classic enchilada and some updated skinny ones too. For example, instead of adding a large amount of high fat cheese, I’m adding fat-free cottage cheese to the layers and only topping with ½ cup of shredded reduced-fat cheese. (Skinny Kitchen)
- Two Ingredient Dough Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole – This Two Ingredient Dough Enchilada Casserole is filled with ground turkey, beans, corn and then smothered in a red enchilada sauce. This makes for a simple yet delicious meal that the whole family will love! (Pound Dropper)
- WW Chicken Enchilada Bake – Do you love the flavors of Mexican food? Sometimes it takes a little creativity and effort to find the perfect Weight Watchers recipe, but it is possible to make recipes healthier and more points friendly! So satisfying you won’t even miss those extra calories. (Life is Sweeter by Design)
And here’s a great video demonstrating making a yummy Weight Watchers Mexican Lasagna from WW Girl…
could not find Mexican corn…used regular can of corn. used 1 cup hot salsa (we like spicy) and for top used can of Rotel tomatoes. VERY GOOD
If I use ground turkey breast will the points be less?
This was absolutely AMAZING.
I used enchilada sauce in place of salsa and cottage cheese in place of beans because I’m allergic.
Added a few mushrooms and some tajin seasoning. I used Mission extra thin corn tortillas which added a perfect flavor.
I have added this to my regular dinner rotation and already can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow! Thank you so much for this fabulous recipe!!
Would I be able to freeze this?
Hi Angela, Though I haven’t tried it, I believe this would freeze fine. ~Martha
My family loved it and it was sooo easy to make!
Tasty!