Certainly! Here’s a Weight Watchers-friendly version of the Pizza Casserole Recipe, complete with nutritional information and Smart Points values:
Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole
Experience the comforting flavors of Italy while staying on track with your Weight Watchers plan with our delicious Pizza Casserole! This satisfying dish combines lean proteins, whole-grain pasta, and cheesy goodness into a warm, gooey casserole. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, this recipe will keep you within your SmartPoints while still delivering the taste you love.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground turkey (or extra-lean ground beef) –
- 4 ounces turkey pepperoni –
- 2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded –
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes –
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder –
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning –
- 8 ounces whole-wheat penne pasta –
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese –
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat:
- Brown the lean ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Make the Sauce:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning with the cooked meat. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the whole-wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the meat sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and half of the turkey pepperoni.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 680mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 22g
Weight Watchers SmartPoints Values:
- Total SmartPoints per Serving: 8
Notes:
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the whole-wheat penne with gluten-free pasta if needed. Ensure all other ingredients, like pepperoni and seasoning, are gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
This Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole provides a delicious way to enjoy pizza flavors while staying on track with your Smart Points. Perfect for meal prep or a comforting family dinner, it’s a recipe that offers both taste and nutritional balance.