WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2024)

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I pulled this recipe for Skinny Cauliflower "Rice" and Beans from Wedneday's food section of the Arizona Republic.

I like that it calls for "cauliflower rice," looks quick and easy to make and serves two.

WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (1)

WW Friendly Cauliflower Rice and Beans for 2

I've had many requests from readers asking for healthy recipes for one or two, a need I hope to fill more regularly.

Recipe Notes

I made a couple minor changes. The first was to add a teaspoon of chili powder, which is totally optional. I also substituted chopped green onion, for red, which I thought would be less harsh used raw as a topping.

This recipe for cauliflower rice and beans exceeded my expectations. It's a lighter, healthier, delicious alternative to traditional rice and beans with fewer points for those following Weight Watchers. It left me feeling satisfied and energized until dinnertime. Peter, Mom and Rod also gave it high marks.

How Many Calories and WW Points in Cauliflower Rice & Beans?

According to my calculations, each generous serving has 329 calories and

8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
9 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

If you count the avocado, this works with Weight Watchers Simply Filling too.

WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2)

Cauliflower Rice with Black Beans - 4 WW Freestyle SmartPoints

Recipe Variations:

different beans:
pinto, kidney, white beans, etc.

spicier:
add chili powder, cumin, or chopped jalapeño to the cauliflower rice while cooking. Serve with additional hot sauce.

heartier:
add cooked chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, vegetarian crumbles.

additional topping suggestions:
salsa, corn, shredded cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream would all be yummy.

additional serving ideas:
use this cauliflower "rice" and beans as a stuffing for burritos, tacos, zucchini, peppers, etc.

Are You Ready To Firmly Plant YourselfOn The Path To Lasting Weight Loss Success?

If you like this skinny cauliflower rice and beans for two, be sure to check out my other easy, healthy Weight Watchers friendly recipes including Cumin Scented Black Beans with Quinoa, (serves 1), Easy Taco Cauliflower Rice Skillet, and Slow Cooker Brown Rice with Lentils

If you've made this Skinny Cauliflower Rice and Black Beans, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it.

WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (3)

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4.55 from 11 votes

Skinny Cauliflower Rice and Beans Recipe for Two

A lighter, healthier alternative to traditional rice and beans, this cauliflower rice and beans recipe makes 2 generous servings, has 4 Freestyle SmartPoints and will work with WW Simply Filling.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Servings (adjustable): 2

Calories: 329

Author: Martha McKinnon | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

  • ½ medium head cauliflower, trimmed of leaves and core (about 12 ounces total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 roma or plum tomato
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 lime wedges

Instructions

  • Slice the cauliflower head into large chunks, leaving stems on. Use a cheese crater or food processor (affiliate link) or blender (affiliate link) to coarsely grate the cauliflower to get about 4 cups' worth.

  • Rinse and drain the beans and set them aside.

  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. When it is hot, add the cauliflower. Stir for 30 seconds, then cover the pan and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Meanwhile, chop the avocado, tomato, green onion and cilantro.

  • When the cauliflower is tender and light golden brown, stir in the drained beans (and chili powder if using) and cook, just until warmed through, about 1 minute more.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve topped with the avocado, tomato, green onion and cilantro. Spritz with lime juice.

Recipe Notes

Variations:

  • different beans: pinto, kidney, white beans, etc.
  • spicier: add chili powder, cumin, or chopped jalapeño to the cauliflower rice while cooking. Serve with additional hot sauce.
  • heartier: add cooked chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, vegetarian crumbles.
  • additional topping suggestions: salsa, corn, shredded cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream would all be yummy.
  • additional serving ideas: use this cauliflower "rice" and beans as a stuffing for burritos, tacos, zucchini, peppers, etc.

Serving size: ½ recipe

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

8 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

4 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

9 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Skinny Cauliflower Rice and Beans Recipe for Two

Amount Per Serving (1 /2 recipe)

Calories 329Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 18g72%

Protein 17g34%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: cauliflower and beans, vegetarian rice with beans

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

Watch this video to learn how easy it is to make your own cauliflower rice:

More Easy Healthy Cauliflower Rice Recipes for Weight Watchers

WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (7)Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.

A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.

She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.

A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.

More about Martha McKinnon

This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!

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WW Cauliflower Rice & Beans Recipe | Simple Nourished Living (2024)

FAQs

Can cauliflower rice help with weight loss? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

How to keep cauliflower rice from getting mushy? ›

Cooking cauliflower rice may seem straight to the point, but I have a few tips for cooking it so it isn't watery and mushy:
  1. Use frozen, store-bought riced cauliflower. ...
  2. Cook in a thin layer. ...
  3. Use a nonstick pan over medium/medium-low heat.
Apr 14, 2024

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

How to remove moisture from cauliflower rice? ›

If using a food processor, cut into small pieces and use the grater attachment to grate the cauliflower into “rice.” Optional: Transfer to a clean towel or paper towel and press to remove any excess moisture, which can make your dish soggy. Once you have your cauliflower rice, it's easy to cook (or enjoy raw)!

Is it OK to eat riced cauliflower everyday? ›

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

What are the side effects of cauliflower rice? ›

Here are 5 possible side effects of cauliflower that you must be cautious of.
  • Gastrointestinal Distress and Flatulence. Cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies contain a complex sugar called raffinose. ...
  • Hypothyroidism. ...
  • Allergy. ...
  • Might affect your blood-thinning medication. ...
  • Might make you feel less hungry.
Jan 20, 2023

Why does cauliflower rice make me bloated? ›

The reason for this is that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous veggies, such as kale and broccoli, contains raffinose and other oligosaccharides. These are specific types of sugars that remain undigested until bacteria in the gut ferment them, producing gas, and, in turn, causing bloating and gas.

Why does cauliflower rice taste sour? ›

While product is hot, you can taste something a bit sour which is the malic acid, a NATURAL product (look it up, it's also used in cosmetics). **Product tastes best after stirred & cooled a little!** Before opening, use hands to squish around contents before opening to mix up the cauliflower.

How long does cauliflower rice last in the fridge? ›

Store cooked cauliflower rice in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cooked riced cauliflower doesn't taste the same after freezing, so freeze it uncooked instead, following the directions below.

Is cauliflower rice good for belly fat? ›

Yes, because it is rich in dietary fibre and other nutrients like protein and iron, such as cauliflower, it is helpful for weight loss. The mild flavour of cauliflower lends itself to a multitude of cooking methods. In addition, cauliflower rice offers some remarkable health advantages.

Which is healthier, cauliflower rice or quinoa? ›

Brown rice actually has more selenium (good for heart health) and vitamin B3 (needed for the production of sex and stress hormones) than quinoa, but quinoa is still the healthier choice. Cauliflower rice is a grain-free, gluten-free and nutrient-dense way to replace the white rice on your plate.

Which is better broccoli or cauliflower rice? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

How to make cauliflower rice not smell? ›

Some people just don't like the smell of cauliflower. You can minimize it by cooking it quickly, and not overcooking it. Cauliflower rice is chopped into very small pieces, and requires only minimal cooking.

How do you keep cauliflower rice from smelling? ›

How to reduce the smell
  1. Add a few chunks of bread to the water when boiling cauliflower.
  2. Keep it white by adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice to it when cooking.
  3. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water — this also helps keep it white.
Feb 27, 2014

Can you overcook cauliflower rice? ›

Why is my cauliflower rice soggy? The key to preventing soggy cauliflower rice is making sure you don't overcook it. Once the 'grains' are hot, you're ready to serve. The best cooking method to avoid any sogginess is to roast the cauliflower grains on a wide, shallow tray.

Does cauliflower burn belly fat? ›

However, it has has been often overlooked in favour of other veggies. And if you're trying to slim down your tummy or simply wish to improve health, adding cauliflower to your diet might help. Perhaps, going on a cauliflower diet may actually help you lose weight effectively.

Can I eat cauliflower rice everyday on keto? ›

With only 5 grams of carbs (3 grams net carbs) per cup, yes: Cauliflower rice is keto. Normal portions of cauliflower rice are unlikely to kick you out of ketosis, especially if you consume them with plenty of healthy fat. Don't be shy with the olive oil.

Is cauliflower rice a good carb? ›

Carbohydrates. With very few carbohydrates (4g total, 2g net) cauliflower rice is an excellent option for people following the keto diet or generally watching their carb intake. Also, the reduced carbs found in cauliflower rice may help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar levels.

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