Slimmed down and Spiced Up!
Looking for a healthy casserole recipe? Try this scrumptious burrito pie casserole. Layers and layers are repeated, just like a lasagna, but with tortillas rather than pasta in this classic Tex-Mex dish.
What cheeses work well in this casserole? Any of the mild, melting cheeses such as a Monterrey Jack, Manchego, Colby, mild cheddar, or a mix of these. Any reduced fat versions of these cheese varieties will work. Buy grated, shredded, or grate it yourself for faster melting. You can even use shredded part-skim mozzarella if you love it.
We made our version healthier by using whole wheat tortillas and brown rice, rather than white rice and tortillas. If you want to make tortillas from scratch, try our whole wheat tortillas recipe. Home-cooked black beans can be used instead of canned black beans. You can puree beans in the blender or with a hand blender for “refried beans.” Simply add a touch of water or stock and stir if your bean puree is too thick. Many refried beans have pork fat added, but our bean puree is a low-fat, clean eating version, and does not. It’s quite flavorful without it. Of course, you can also purchase cans of nonfat refried beans. Just check the label to make sure that it only contains beans. Yet another option is to mash beans with a potato masher for a chunky bean spread with some texture.
We use lean ground turkey, but shredded or diced chicken breasts would also be delicious. An alternative filling that you can layer your casserole with is this Chipotle Taco or Burrito Filling. If you opt to use it, omit the salsa or use a small amount of mild salsa per layer, as the chipotle filling is already seasoned with chiles.
When making our easy Homemade Salsa, we used a red salsa, but a green salsa, or salsa verde would work if preferred. Salsa is rich with the health benefits of tomatoes and chiles. It’s delicious to when paired with a nonfat or low-fat sour cream, or a thick nonfat Greek yogurt as a topping. After cooking, sliced avocado can be added to the top as an option.
This casserole is so versatile, allowing you to get creative with it, just like you would with burrito fillings or taco toppings! Other yummy toppings for your Burrito Pie? Sliced olives and diced pickled jalapeno peppers (or sliced fresh ones) can be sprinkled after the casserole is cooked. Finishing with minced cilantro adds bright, fresh flavor and a nice green color, too!
Healthier Burrito Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 9 whole-wheat flour tortillas Recipe for Whole Grain Tortillas
- 15 ounces refried beans can
- 1 1/2 cups salsa
- 1 cup Greek yogurt non-fat
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts cooked and finely chopped (about 3), or 1 pound cooked lean ground turkey
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, reduced-fat
- 2 cups brown rice cooked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil cooking spray. Pour 1/2 cup of salsa into the bottom of the pan and spread evenly. Add 3 of the tortillas so that they are slightly overlapping, add 1/3 chicken or alternatives, and 1/4 of the beans, 1/4 cup of cooked rice and about 1/2 cup cheese. Add another layer of tortillas and repeat once more, for a total of 3 layers. Spread only salsa and cheese on the top layer.
- Cover your pan tightly with foil and heat for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
- Spread Greek Yogurt on the top to serve, or serve it on the side. If desired, sprinkle with cilantro just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
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This is a great recipe! I got home from work and was able to make, bake and serve this in about an hour. I used precooked shredded chicken and boil-in-a- bag rice to speed up the process. I also added corn to the bean layer for a veggi. I let it set for about 15 min after taking it out of the oven. It cut and plated very neatly. 4 out of 4 kids ate it and even my picky one gave it a 6 out of 10! That's a win.
So what's the Skinny Ms. of the house's opinion? I loved it. I had it on a bed of greens that could have a sqeeze of lime on them in the future. I think mixing the yogurt with a little salsa and a touch of hot sause would be good as well (If you live south of the Mason Dixen Line). In addition to cilantro, I'd garnish with jalapenos and a slice of avacado.
So what do you drink with this dish? … Besides water!
That's great. Maybe some Strawberry Lemonade? https://skinnyms.com/strawberry-lemonade/
I made this for our freezer club. I was wondering on how long it would take to bake if coming straight from the freezer? Any ideas?? Thanks so much!!
Add an additional 20 minutes to the cooktime.
How many layers of tortillas?
Diana, A total of 3 layers. I updated the recipe to include 9 tortillas and 3 layers. 🙂
It was a little confusing as it says use 1/4 of the beans per layer, but wouldnt that be 1/3 if there are 3 layers? And it says 1/4 cup rice but the total rice was 2 cups, so that would not be right, either. I can figure it out and just split everything into 3rds, but at first i wasnt getting it.oh wait but if only salsa and cheese goes on top layer, then im all mixed up . I will figure it out, so 1/2 the beans then if beans are only on 2 layers and 1 cup rice on each of the 2 layers and 1/2 the meat on the 2 layers.?.., i think i got it now ?
On the chicken is it 3 breasts at 6-8 ounces each, or is it a total of 6-8 ounces for all 3 breasts?
Michelle, I updated the recipe. The chicken breasts should equal about 1 pound total…this could be 2 or 3 breasts.
Where do I find the updated recipe?
Hi Bobbi, this recipe has been updated. No need to search anywhere else on the site! 🙂
Drain and rinse refried beans?
Norma, Whoops! Just removed the drain and rinse.
I’m still confused about the rice. If the recipe calls for 2 cups then why only 1/4 cup per layer? Also the beans per layer doesnt compute? I’m hoping it all works out but I’ve leftover beans & rice. Can anyone straighten me out?
Bobbi, you can adjust the recipe as needed if you don’t want leftover rice or beans. Feel free to add more per layer or make less to fit your individual needs!
What size tortillas are in this recipe? 8 inches or 10-inches?
Pal, Either will work. We used 8-inch for this recipe.
Loved this. Came out so tasty. I used this recipe as an inspiration to make it my own. Instead of breasts, I used thighs. I have found breasts very unforgiving and are usually dry and rubbery tasting. I don’t like beans so I replaced it with Trader Joe’s Mexican style corn. So good. Rice raises my blood sugar so I used a Mexican style cauliflower rice instead. I also used X-treme Wellness High Fiber tortillas to keep my blood sugar from spiking. All in all, it was a delicious yummy casserole that lasted 2 people 4 days worth of wonderful tasting food. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome, Kazy! We’re so happy you found it helpful and delicious! Thanks for the great feedback! ????