Pasta Fagiloli

This was so good! I loved the blend of the Italian spices! If you blend the beans according to the recipe, you will not even taste them; they just add texture. Next time I will leave the beans whole to make this even heartier.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb lean ground beef
32 oz of chicken broth
15 oz can tomato sauce
3 cloves of garlic, diced
1 stalk of celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, diced
1 15oz can cannellini beans (or any white beans)
1 large bay leaf
1 tbs parsely
1 tbs basil
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups dried pasta (any small pasta will work; I used elbow)

Directions:
Add the can of beans undrained and one can of water to the blender; blend until smooth.  Add bean mixture to crock pot.  Brown ground beef and add to crock pot. Add all remaining ingredients except pasta to crock pot.  Stir and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until vegetables are tender. Cook pasta and add to soup just before serving. Serve with shredded parmesan cheese.

If this is divided into 6 servings, each serving is 5 weight watcher points.

Parmesan Spaghetti Squash

We had this as a main dish because we try to have at least one vegetarian meal a week, but I have to say that this would be awesome served on the side of the parmesan crusted chicken recipe I posted a while back. I slightly overcooked the squash. You  should be able to see the strands more clearly.

Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
1/3 cup reduced fat parmesan cheese
desired amount of cherry tomatoes, diced
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp olive oil
shredded italian cheese, for garnish

Directions:
There are several ways to prepare a spaghetti squash.  Click here to see your options.(note: I baked mine, but I skipped the olive oil step). Once your spaghetti squash is done and shredded into strands, set it aside. Dice garlic and saute it lightly in the 1 tsp of olive oil. Add the garlic mixture to the spaghetti squash; add remaining ingredients and toss to mix. Serve the squash in one half of the shell and garnish with cheese.

The entire recipe is only 4 weight watcher points.