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My Weight Watchers Santa Fe Beans and Rice Recipe

March 23, 2016 By Sage 37 Comments

I still lived in the States the first time I made this black beans and rice dish inspired by the Weight Watchers Santa Fe beans and rice recipe. I haven’t lived stateside since 2010, so I have no idea if Weight Watchers Santa Fe beans and rice is still part of the Smart Ones line-up, but back then it was one of my favorites.

I first went the DIY Smart Ones route to save money, four DIY Smart Ones lunches cost me a bit more what one frozen Smart Ones cost. Now that I live abroad, over six years later, I’m still making this version of the Weight Watchers Santa Fe beans and rice recipe because it’s easy, vegetarian, delicious, and inexpensive… even in Denmark.

I buy dried black beans and pressure cook them a pound or two at a time, then freeze them in 1 1/2 cup servings. That’s the most difficult part of this recipe… aside from the rice, there’s no precooking, just mix everything together, put it in a casserole dish and bake it! It can even be made ahead :)

Weight Watchers Santa Fe Beans and Rice Recipe

Weight Watchers Santa Fe Beans and Rice Recipe

2/3 cup brown rice
1 3/4 cups water
or
2 cups cooked brown rice
&
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (or one 15 oz. can drained and rinsed)
1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz.)
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup salsa
1 cup low fat sour cream
1 cup shredded low fat cheese
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 t salt
1/8 t black pepper

Cook the rice using your preferred method. I put the 2/3 cups rice in saucepan with 1 3/4 cups water, bring it to a boil and let it simmer until craters appear in the surface, then cover it, reduce the heat to low, and let it steam for 20 minutes. This pretty much gives me bang on 2 cups of cooked rice.

Mix everything together in a large bowl and transfer to a 2.5 quart casserole dish that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake the casserole uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

If fat content doesn’t concern you, sprinkle more cheese on top and cook another 10 minutes, or run it under the broiler until the cheese melts.

I don’t follow Weight Watchers, and haven’t calculated the points per serving, but to me this is a pretty dead DIY ringer for the Weight Watchers Santa Fe beans and rice recipe used in Smart Ones frozen meals, and I can’t imagine the nutritional values are too far off if you use low fat ingredients.

You can of course also make this with full fat sour cream and cheese, as I often do for my guys, and it tastes even better!

Weight Watchers Santa Fe Beans and Rice Recipe

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Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

Comments

  1. Alicia Snow says

    March 23, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    This looks so good! And I love that it’s vegetarian. I’m not one personally, but I still like to make a meat-free meal ever so often. I’ve never actually made beans in a pressure cooker, I always get them in a can. I guess that means it’s time to try it.

    Reply
  2. Shelly says

    March 23, 2016 at 4:07 PM

    I haven’t tried the Weight Watchers diet, but I have made modifications to my diet. I eat more whole foods, less processed, and lean meat. Have lost about 15 pounds that I gained from my medication. This beans and rice dish looks delicious! I also cook with brown rice, beans, and legumes more often.

    Reply
  3. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    March 23, 2016 at 4:40 PM

    That sounds so yum! I Love that this is a healthy alternative :) NOM.

    Reply
  4. EBL Food Allergies says

    March 23, 2016 at 6:10 PM

    I’m surprised that it’s still considered a weight watchers recipe when using sour cream and cheese. Looks delicious!

    Reply
  5. Sarh S says

    March 23, 2016 at 6:57 PM

    That looks quite tasty! I’m not on the weight watchers diet, but sometimes I buy the weight watchers dreamsicle things just because they are quite tasty. Anyhow, great recipe, we will have to try this.

    Reply
  6. dee says

    March 23, 2016 at 8:14 PM

    OMG! This looks so good. I am going to have to try this and see If i can figure out the point value for this dish.

    Reply
  7. Melisa says

    March 23, 2016 at 10:10 PM

    This sounds like a good vegetarian recipe. I’ll pass it on to my cousin, I think she’ll love it. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Crizzy Kiss (@CrizzyKiss) says

    March 23, 2016 at 11:29 PM

    Omg! This is perfect for my boyfriend since he’s trying to lose weight and he loves rice. I’m sure he’s gonna like it, thanks a lot!! ;)

    Reply
  9. kendallrayburnKen says

    March 24, 2016 at 12:25 AM

    This looks so incredible! I’m actually doing weight watchers online right now and am down 13+ lbs! YAY! I need to try this recipe, it looks filling and delicious! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  10. Chantal says

    March 24, 2016 at 3:05 AM

    This looks like such a yummy recipe I would never think it was Weight watchers! I have been eating healthier but am finding I get pretty hungry. I think I need to add more protein.

    Reply
  11. mskathykenny says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:34 AM

    I’d love to try this out but I need to do it in moderation. Beans make my gout flare up.

    Reply
  12. jataya wiley says

    March 24, 2016 at 5:30 AM

    I lost 100 pounds on weight watchers and I absolutely love their program. I would recommend it to anyone struggling with weight loss! There recipes are fabulous and easy to make. This Santa Fe Beans and Rice looks fabulous! I must try it! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Sage says

      March 27, 2016 at 2:13 PM

      Wow! Congratulations on your awesome weightloss, that’s not easy! You must be so proud of yourself :)

      Reply
  13. Elizabeth O. says

    March 24, 2016 at 6:45 AM

    I always thought rice was out of the question when it comes to losing weight. This recipe looks amazing, I’d love to give it a try. It looks really packed with flavor!

    Reply
    • Sage says

      March 27, 2016 at 2:18 PM

      Brown rice is actually quite high in fiber, which fills you up quicker and keeps you fuller longer than other lower fiber foods, so it’s great for dieters. White rice is an entirely different story.

      Reply
  14. hautebeautyguide says

    March 24, 2016 at 7:07 AM

    This dish looks great! I always love finding low cal recipes that have my favorite foods in them.

    Reply
  15. Euge Nia says

    March 24, 2016 at 11:07 AM

    This recipe sounds amazing. I love eating healthy and delicious food! I’ll definitely try it!

    Reply
  16. Coach Donna L Ward says

    March 24, 2016 at 2:58 PM

    What fun that you are still making this yummy sounding casserole and it does look easy – thank you for sharing this savory saver!!

    Reply
  17. JessicaACassidy (@wifetoalineman) says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:02 PM

    Anything that has rice, I am in! Blame it with my Asian blood. This sounds like a very healthy recipe to try.

    Reply
  18. Vera Sweeney says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:40 PM

    This looks like a great dinner!! I love Weight Watchers recipes, even though I am not on the plan. It an be hard to find meals that my family likes that are not horrible calorie wise.

    Reply
  19. Shaylee Field says

    March 24, 2016 at 6:57 PM

    I’ve never tried anything from weight watchers but this sounds delish! I love rice and beans :)

    Reply
  20. amanda says

    March 24, 2016 at 7:08 PM

    I love spicy rice and beans! Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
  21. Fashionable Librarian says

    March 24, 2016 at 7:40 PM

    This looks really good and delicious. Delicious and healthy in the same sentence usually gets my attention

    Reply
  22. Amy Jones says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:01 PM

    Looks Yummy, i also love granola, its hard staying fit ´=(

    Reply
    • Sage says

      March 27, 2016 at 2:11 PM

      LOL! It really is torture, I don’t know how I manage :)

      Reply
  23. Katie says

    March 25, 2016 at 3:31 AM

    We used to always buy the Smart Ones Chicken Suizas, years ago! I never thought of trying to replicate them. Kind of a fun project to do! I do like beans and rice.

    Reply
    • Sage says

      March 27, 2016 at 2:10 PM

      Since moving abroad, replicating things I miss from the States has become a necessity. Funny how I used to do it just to save money.

      Reply
  24. MrsTee says

    March 25, 2016 at 3:43 AM

    I love a dish with the perfect hint of spice and this sounds like just that. Thanks so much for sharing such a healthy and yummy recipe!

    Reply
  25. MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) says

    March 25, 2016 at 6:45 PM

    I make something very similar. I just love the flavor and texture combinations.

    Reply
  26. Ana Fernandez says

    March 25, 2016 at 8:07 PM

    Looks so easy to make and so healthy at the same time! good combination!

    Reply
  27. Sarah Bailey says

    March 28, 2016 at 4:36 PM

    Oh wow this sounds so good and the fact it is better for you – well what is there not to love! x

    Reply
  28. mhaan.a-ds says

    March 29, 2016 at 2:26 AM

    I love brown rice as I find it healthier than the usual rice we have. That looks yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipe :)

    Mhaan | http://www.mommyrockininstyle.com

    Reply
  29. thetightwadteacher says

    March 30, 2016 at 3:36 AM

    This looks DELICIOUS! I may have to try this next time we have tacos or something! Thanks for linking up with us at Friday Funday and please come back again next week!

    Reply
  30. Laurie says

    April 1, 2016 at 2:01 PM

    This looks so amazingly tasty! It would be great to make up a big batch and have for lunches for awhile or even freeze for later.

    Reply
  31. Karen says

    July 24, 2017 at 6:10 PM

    Can you tell me what kind of cheese you used?

    Reply
    • Sage says

      July 24, 2017 at 6:24 PM

      Hi Karen, I used shredded cheddar.

      Reply
      • Karen says

        July 26, 2017 at 5:58 PM

        Thank you

        Reply

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Once upon a time, I had the chance to move to the happiest country in the world!

My restless Aries spirit liked that idea, so I did what any girl in my position would do… I grabbed my cat, booked a one-way ticket to Denmark, and became an expat!

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