Weight Watchers Wednesday: Chili-Mac Soup

Unfortunately today's recipe is one that I have not tried but will be trying in the next few days and let you know next Wednesday just how good it is. On the menu tonight is cereal, canned soup or maybe a sandwich; whatever Alan happens to fix when he gets home. I have had a ragging migraine all day and vomiting all morning. I'm sure that is not what you want to hear while you were about to lick your chops from the drool over my delicious waist trimming recipe I'll present you. Sorry, that was just my day...along with a toddler begging for my attention!

Today's recipe comes from the Betty Crocker Website. I was playing around on the site yesterday looking for coupons for the grocery shopping we did last night. By the way, I must brag, last night Alan met us in Lubbock and after 2 hours at Wal-Mart, 12 reusable grocery bags and dropping $200 + on groceries, we FINALLY have food in our house and it will hopefully last us over 2 weeks! The bragging comes in because I made a list before we went, every Sunday I cut coupons, and I searched the Internet before going for coupons that I didn't have and I SAVED $9.10, I think this is the most I have saved using coupons but it could also be because we were out of EVERYTHING. This is also just $1-$2 less than what tonight's recipe that will feed 6 costs to make. I just want you to know if you want to SAVE, it is possible and if you live in a place where they double and triple coupons, you could have much larger savings! Anyways back to the Betty Crocker Website, I really like it! It has a section that you can put what ingredients you have and it will pull up a recipe for what you have in your cabinet. It also has a section where you can choose from the Betty Crocker Products and pick recipes that include those products. This section is where my inspiration came from. I'm a sucker for cheap meals and our family is a big fan of Hamburger Helper and when using lean beef the Weight Watchers points range from 5-7 depending on the flavor. However, sometimes Hamburger Helper gets old as is....so tonight I will tell you how to spice up your Hamburger Helper and still have a low cost meal.

Chili-Mac Soup

1 lb lean ground beef (93/7)

1 small onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper

1 fresh Roma tomato, chopped

1 jalapeno, chopped

1 garlic clove, pressed

5 cups hot water

1 box Hamburger Helper Chili Macaroni

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 can (14.5 oz) Hunt's Diced Tomatoes

1 can (11 oz) Green Giant Mexicorn, undrained

The recipe calls for 2 tbsp of pitted ripe olives (I don't like olives therefore they will be left out)

**NOTE** I do alter most recipes I find to make them more fitting to Weight Watchers and to fit what products I have in my cabinet as to waste as little food as possible.

1. Cook beef, bell pepper, Roma tomato, jalapeno and garlic clove over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain and put in a stew/stock pot.

2. Stir in hot water, sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box), chili powder, garlic salt and tomatoes. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in uncooked pasta (from Hamburger Helper box), corn and olives. Cover; cook 10 minutes longer.

Serves 6

WW pts: 5

**For an added touch serve over homemade baked seasoned corn tortilla strips, sprinkle with fat free shredded cheese and if you like, add a dollop of fat free sour cream.

For the original: Chili-Mac Soup Recipe