Recipes
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Meatball Subs with Garlic and Herb Fries
Meatball subs are always a crowd pleaser in my house! A few years ago, I even had one of my daughter’s friends ask that I share this recipe with her mom because she liked it so much! LOL! I’ve lightened it up by using hot Italian turkey sausage and extra lean ground beef, but the fresh and dried herbs give it so much flavor you don’t realize it’s healthy! We like to use Pepperidge Farm sub rolls for this, but if you’re following WW or just want to lighten it up even more, skip the bread and serve it over whole wheat pasta. It’s still super filling and delicious! I cut corners with the fries by using frozen crinkle cut fries, but add a garlic herb mixture before cooking them to jazz them up. Those have become another family favorite that we serve with burgers or steaks. Hope you like this one as much as we do!
To Make the Meatballs:
- 1 lb Laura’s 96% Lean Ground Beef
- 1 lb Jennie-O Hot Italian Turkey Sausage (removed from the casing)
- 2 small onions, diced and divided
- 6 garlic cloves, minced and divided
- 1/3 cup fresh Italian Parsley
- 1/2 cup Progresso Italian Style Bread Crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil
- 2 tablespoons milk (I use skim milk, but any milk is fine)
- 2 teaspoons Private Selection Italian Seasoning
- 1 jar Barilla Regional Collection Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
- 1 8 oz can Hunt’s No Salt Added Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Package Pepperidge Farm Bakery Classics Soft White Hoagie Rolls with Sesame Seeds
Preheat the oven to 400 and line 2 12×17 baking sheets with foil.
In a large bowl, mix the eggs, bread crumbs, 1 diced onion, 4 cloves of garlic, fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons of the Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil and milk together.
Add in the ground beef along with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Gently combine the ingredients together to incorporate the meat with all the seasonings. Add in the Italian Sausage until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix or the meatballs can become very dense.
Now on to making the meatballs! You can make the meatballs any size you like, but I use an ice cream scoop that’s about a tablespoon or so in size. I can get around 44 meatballs using this size- 20 on one pan and 24 on the other. Once all the meatballs are made, put them in the oven for about 25 minutes until cooked through. (If your meatballs are larger than 1-2 tablespoons, you may need to cook them a little longer.)
While the meatballs are cooking, add the olive oil to a large pot or Dutch oven and bring up to a medium high heat. Once heated, cook the other diced onion and the 2 remaining garlic cloves until the onions are softened. Add in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, a pinch of salt and the remaining tablespoon of the dried basil. Bring to a summer and leave on low until the meatballs are cooked.
Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the tomato sauce until all are coated. Serve each hoagie roll with about 3-4 meatballs and add your favorite cheese!
For the Garlic and Herb Fries:
- 1 32 oz bag Ore-Ida Golden Crinkles French Fried Potatoes
- Simple Truth Organic™ Salt Free Garlic Herb Seasoning Blend
- Chosen Foods Pure Avocado Spray Oil
- Salt
Add the fries to a baking sheet in an even layer and lightly coat with the avocado spray oil. Sprinkle with the garlic herb seasoning (as much or as little as you like) and cook per the package directions. Lightly sprinkle with salt while they’re still hot. We often use our air fryer and they turn out great!
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Easy Pot Roast
There is something so comforting about a pot roast. I like to make them all year round, but they’re especially delicious in the cooler months. I usually make one on the stove top on a Sunday after church, but it’s just as easy to let it cook in the crock-pot for an easy weeknight dinner. I prefer to have my pot roast served on top of a mound of creamy, garlic mashed potatoes while my son prefers it shredded, topped with bbq sauce and served in a hamburger bun. Either way, it’s delicious!
- 3 lb chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon Private Selection Italian Seasoning or Private Selection Herbes de Provence
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- I medium white or yellow onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 Private Selection Bay Leaves
- 2 cups Simple Truth Organic Fat Free Beef Broth
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (preferably a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Pinot Noir such as Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine or Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir Red Wine
- Salt and Pepper
In a large pot or a Dutch oven, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil on a high heat. While it’s warming up, season each side of the roast with the dried herbs and salt and pepper. Once the oil is ready, add the roast and let it sear on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned.
Remove the roast from the pot and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper and cook until the onion is translucent. (It’s ok of the onions brown a bit.) Add the wine and cook until it cooks down by 1/2. (If using a crock pot, you would add the onions to it at this point, then continue with the next steps below.)
Add the roast back to the pot along with the beef broth and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil then simmer covered for 2-3 hours until tender or in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4.)
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Pumpkin Spice French Toast
As if you need more pumpkin spice recipe if your life!! haha! Now that the weather is FINALLY feeling like fall here in Houston, I am all about the pumpkin spice and fall flavors! I’ve been making my French toast for a while now using sugar free or fat free coffee creamer as part of the custard to dip the bread in before cooking it. Being that I am in the fall mood, I thought I would try it with some International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer and it turned out so good! Not only is this version of French toast delicious, it’s low calorie and comes in at 5 WW points!
What You’ll Need:
- 2 slices Sara Lee Delightful Healthy Multi-Grain Bread, 45 Calories per Slice
- 2 tablespoons International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer
- 1 whole egg
- Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray
- Maple Grove Farms Syrup Maple Sugar Free
- Great Value Extra Creamy Dairy Whipped Topping (optional)
- Bring a small skillet up to a medium high heat and spray with Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray .
- Whisk together the egg and the International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer in a shallow dish.
- Dip the bread one slice at a time until coated on each side and add to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes per side until brown.
- Once both pieces are cooked, top with Maple Grove Farms Syrup Maple Sugar Free and Great Value Extra Creamy Dairy Whipped Topping.
Enjoy!!!
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Making Weeknights Easy
Getting dinner on the table quick is always something we have struggled with in my house. Trying to make a meal that is homemade and not using a lot of prepacked ingredients can be a challenge. I always read labels and have found some really great products over the years that I can feel good about feeding to my family. Here is a list of my favorite pantry staples that I keep on hand for an easy meal. (Plus, they’re WW friendly!) I primarily shop at Kroger and linked the items here, but you can certainly use any brand you prefer.
Favorite Seasonings:
Simple Truth Everything But the Bagel– add to avocado toast, boiled eggs or even to meats to add great texture and flavor!
Simple Truth Salt Free Garlic Herb Seasoning– This blend is so versatile and can be used on so many things and I love that it is salt free! I use this as a dry rub on meats as well as marinades. My family really loves when I add this to French fries. Just sprinkle it on your favorite frozen French fries and bake or air fry according to the package instructions. Once they’re cooked, just season with salt. Definitely a family favorite!
Private Selection Herbs de Provence- I first learned of this blend from Giada deLaurentiis. She uses it on so many things and with good reason…it truly goes with anything! It contains savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender. I cook with venison a lot and it pairs well with the lavender and rosemary. Even if I am using a pre-packed seasoning mix (such as taco seasoning) I use this as a base flavor and it compliments it well. I also add this to steaks right before we cook them and on roasted potatoes. Just add a little salt, pepper and olive oil and you’re good to go!
Mrs. Dash Salt Free Taco Seasoning- Speaking of taco seasoning, this one is my favorite. Again, it’s salt free so you can control the amount of salt in your food.
Pantry Staples:
Simple Truth Chicken Broth– Chicken broth adds great flavor to so many things. From soups and stews to rice, you can’t go wrong having this on hand. I prefer the low sodium option, but there is also a fat free option that is good, as well. I really like that this brand is organic and made from free range chicken!
Mission Carb Balance Flour Tortillas– There are a few variations of these tortillas, but I typically buy the fajita size. They’re a little smaller and are only 45 calories (or 1 WW pt!). I love how soft these are and you don’t feel your missing out on anything with these. From fajitas to breakfast tacos, we always have these on hand. You can also use these to make personal size pizzas. Just add some tomato sauce and your favorite toppings and back at 400 for 8-10 minutes!
Sara Lee Delightful Healthy Multi-Grain Bread– When I started WW, one thing I really looked for was a good option for bread. Naturally, I started looking in the organic section of the store first, but soon found that some of those breads had tons of extra calories added to them. This bread is simple, delicious and only 45 calories per slice. (2 WW pts!) Perfect for avocado toast, French toast or just a PB&J.
Quaker Quick Cooking Oats– I have learned to LOVE making homemade oatmeal! The options are endless! My favorite is blueberries and cream with banana. (Recipe is linked here!) With oatmeal now a 0 pts food on WW, you bet I have been trying my best to whip some up that stay as low on calories and WW pts as possible! It cooks in the microwave in 1-2 minutes and is a good heart healthy breakfast option!
Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta– Another 0 pt WW option I keep on hand. My family even eats this and has no idea they’re eating something super healthy for them!
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray– This spray is 0 calories and is perfect for cooking scrambled eggs, fried eggs or for roasting veggies in the oven or air fryer.
Tostitos Avocado Salsa– If you have not tried this…what are you waiting for?! It’s like guacamole and pico de gallo mixed together. We eat it with chips, add it to salads or sandwiches in place of mayo. Definite must have!
Cream of Mushroom Soup/ Cream of Chicken Soup– I like having these on hand to whip up a quick meal. I use the mushroom soup with my Chicken with Mushroom Gravy recipe and it’s definitely a family favorite! The cream of chicken adds a nice thickness and creaminess to my Chicken Tortilla Soup.
From the Freezer:
Frozen Veggies- Frozen veggies are the next best thing to fresh and keep really well for a long time! Frozen corn is my family’s favorite and is always on hand, but I also like to keep edamame and potatoes on standby. While my family enjoys French fries with our burgers, I will typically opt for plain sweet potatoes as my side dish. While the traditional fries are delicious, they’re typically loaded with added fat and calories. On the WW plan I follow, potatoes are now 0 pts! I know, right!!?!? Such great news! I like to cook mine in the air fryer with a little avocado oil spray and some good ol’ salt and pepper. They’re perfect every time and totally worth having in the fridge!
Simple Truth Organic Brown Rice– I am sure you’re wondering why this is not listed as a pantry staple. While I do keep some brown rice in my pantry, the frozen kind is just so quick and easy to make! Another 0 pts food find, I will typically have several bags on hand to add for a quick lunch or with dinner. Regardless of the meal we’re having, if it calls for rice, this is what I will opt for. For taco night, I will just steam the rice in the microwave, spray with some I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray, add salt and pepper and a little salsa. I will often have a Chipotle style bowl with this rice, beans, salad and some protein for a quick lunch. It truly is a great alternative to traditional rice if you’re looking for a lighter, healthier option!
Simple Truth Flame Grilled Chicken Strips– Grilled chicken is a great go-to for just about any meal. I love adding these pre-cooked chicken strips to salads, to have with some rice and sweet and sour sauce for a little Chinese inspiration. It’s a great way to add some protein especially for a single serve meal.
Simple Truth Peeled and Deveined Jumbo Shrimp– Quick cooking and delicious shrimp is always a crowd pleaser and perfect for weeknight meals! Sautee in a little olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon juice and some red pepper flakes until cooked and then add to either pasta or rice. So simple, yet light and filling!
In the Fridge:
Dannon Light & Fit Greek Strawberry Cheesecake Nonfat Yogurt – Yogurt is a great source of protein and is only 80 calories a container! Mix in some fresh fruit (I love strawberries and blueberries) and a little granola for quick breakfast or even dessert!
Wholly Guacamole Classic Guacamole – I LOVE avocados!!!! Only issue is they’re either ready to eat when you buy them or not quite ready…and then when you’re ready, they’ve gone bad! These are the perfect option and are pre-portioned to make tracking calories, points, etc. easy! I spread it on toast and add some Everything But the Bagel Seasoning or on a tortilla with some chicken for a quick wrap for lunch.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray– Perfect for adding to rice or veggies without all the extra calories and fat of regular butter.
Kroger Fat Free Vanilla Coffee Creamer– I’m fairly basic when it comes to coffee. Just a little vanilla creamer and some sugar and I am good! While I always have vanilla creamer in my fridge for coffee, I use it for lots of other things, too! Recently, I started adding it to my oatmeal to make a blueberries and cream style oatmeal as well as to make the custard to dip bread in for French Toast. It has tons of flavor without adding any extra fat.
Single Serve Salads– These are great for a lunch on the go! You can have a different one every day and never get bored! If you’re tracking calories or macros, the nutrition information is on the back making it easy to stay on track! My favorites are the Crispy Apple Dijon, Avocado Cheddar Ranch, Sante Fe Style Chicken, Cranberry with Feta and White Balsamic Vinaigrette. Warm up some of the chicken from the freezer for a little extra protein!