Weight Watchers Cheesy Chili-Mac

Ah, blog readers it's that time of year again. Where you get the most romantic ideas ready for that special someone and make it a day to remember. Yes, I'm talking about Valentine's Day. Your blog mistress isn't so much a fan of this sugary and completely mushy filled holiday but I digress. So, instead of heading out to some over crowded (let's face it everyone has the same unoriginal idea) restaurant why not stay in and make one of our L-O-V-E-ly dishes for that special person in your life? Okie, do I not sound like a radio dj right now? Bring on the Michael Bolton and Journey songs lol.

Tonight we have something warm, filling, and super yum to serve for this chilly winter holiday. It was my pick this week and I've been wanting to find a chili mac recipe. In the days before WW I made one hell of a chili mac. I would make up my awesome chili and have that slow cook for hours and right before I was ready to dig in I would make a box of my favorite mac and cheese and then smother some of the delish chili on the cheesy goodness followed by a night helping of sour cream. Geez, I miss that stuff but unfortunately WW doesn't do kindly to extreme fat and calories (hence the points system). I had to leave all that behind and start a new search for something that fit a similar mold of my previous calorie filled dish and I think I just may have found it:


Weight Watchers Cheesy Chili-Mac




Prep time: 16 min
Cook time: 28 min
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
*1 spray(s) cooking spray
*2/3 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef
*2 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
*29 oz canned stewed tomatoes, Mexican-style (undrained)
*2 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato juice
*4 oz canned green chili peppers, diced, drained
*2 tsp chili powder
*1 1/2 serving(s) uncooked macaroni, elbow-size
*31 oz canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
*1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese


Instructions:
1. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Cook beef and onion until meat is browned, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 10 minutes; drain off fat.

2. Stir in undrained tomatoes and their juice, tomato juice, chili peppers and chili powder; bring mixture to a boil.

3. Stir in macaroni and beans; return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, about 15 minutes. Spoon chili into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Yields about 1 cup chili and 1 tablespoon cheese per serving.


WW Points: 7 Points per serving




This was pretty yummy. It filled the chili mac void left from my previous calorie-wise no good recipe. I think I may have to make this again in the future. ;].


No tid bits tonight, the recipe is pretty spot on. Oh, you could add 2 tablespoons of fat-free sour cream for 0 points.


Ma's Spot: I enjoyed tonight's dish a lot. I don't like hot food so when Dinah picked this recipe I was worried because of the Mexican tomatoes, seasoning, etc...but it ended up not being hot and I really liked it. The whole wheat pasta was very good along with the other ingredients that went into this recipe. So I encourage you to make it. The next time I make it I'm going to mix it up and put in some green peppers and maybe some mushrooms. As always we say to make it the first time as is and then if you like it and want to make it again tweak the recipe to your liking.



*SNACK CORNER:*

It's time for snack corner! Where we take new snacks in the grocery store and break it down for you. We tell you which are hot and which are not. Let's get to this week's pick:




WW Points: 9 kisses for 6 points




Dinah: Tonight in the spirit of that little diaper fella with the bow and arrow we went with yummy chocolate. Hershey's Kisses Raspberry Hugs...I am not really a choco gal (yes I am aware I am strange, ha.) but these are pretty amazing. Geoff got me these as one of my V-Day gifts and they're pretty epic. From first opening the bag the smell of raspberry made me *swoon* and I knew I was in for a treat. These are smooth and creamy with this awesome hint of raspberry mixed in. I'd say these are a keeper.

Ma: What can I say it's chocolate and raspberry. Two things that when put together spell out yum! Oh and that they are a point and a half each is an extra bonus for me. So if you're watching your weight or not these are a yummy treat.


We hope we've made your Valentine's Day a little more yummy with this week's recipe and treat! Next week is Ma's dish..es. Yes as in plural. It's not one to be missed. Have a great week guys!





Spoons & Spatula's
~Dinah & Ma