265 Calorie Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

I came up with the idea for this soup on a whim - I had all of the ingredients on hand so I just sort of threw it together, and it turned out great! This was a super easy, light, Italian dinner - perfect for the freezing weather we've been having in Chicago.

I used NOoodles for this recipe - they are a "zero calorie" noodle - basically there are so few calories that they can say there are zero calories, I would estimate there's about 30 calories or fewer in the whole package which is still really good for noodles  -- to satisfy a pasta craving I like to just rinse, drain and microwave these with some Earth Balance or olive oil and garlic powder and salt. These noodles are also already prepared so you don't have to cook them, just heat them up! They are also gluten and dairy free!

This recipe is gluten free and dairy free :)

Ingredients:

1 Can Tomato Basil Soup - 300 calories

1 Package NOodles - 30 calories

1 turkey burger patty - 200 calories

Garlic powder and Garlic Salt to taste                            

=530 calories, 2 servings, 265 calories per serving

Directions:

1. Put the turkey burger in a heated up medium sauce pan

2. Mash up the turkey and heat until browned

3. Add the tomato soup, bring to a boil

4. While the soup is heating, drain and rinse the noodles

5. Add the noodles to the pot, cook for a minute or two until the noodles are heated up

6. Serve hot :)

Shrimp Scampi (Under 200 Calories!)

This is another variation of my 100 Calorie Zucchini Spaghetti -  this time I sauteed the Zucchini Spaghetti with garlic salt, butter, and shrimp, to make a healthy Shrimp Scampi

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and paleo!

Recipe:

1 medium/large Zucchini - 46 calories

10 medium shrimp - 64 calories

1 tablespoon Earth Balance Whipped Buttery Spread(or other Butter replacement) - 80 calories

1-2 teaspoons Garlic Salt or Garlic Powder                                                                                  

= 190 calories

1. Thaw your shrimp if you are using pre-cooked frozen shrimp

2. Wash and slice your zucchini into spaghetti strips

3. Heat up a medium frying pan on the stovetop, add the shrimp

4. Add the zucchini to the pan, add the butter(you may not need a full tablespoon, you just want to add enough to keep the zucchini from drying out)

5. Sautee for about 6 minutes, top with garlic salt and enjoy :)

100 Calorie Zucchini Spaghetti

Pasta is delicious - but it is high calorie and filled with gluten! I have tried a few low calorie/gluten free alternatives and Zucchini Spaghetti is the best by far, in my opinion.

I like Zucchini Spaghetti better than gluten free/rice pasta because it is so much healthier and has a lower glycemic index so it doesn't spike your blood sugar

Another alternative is Spaghetti Squash - but I like the Zucchini Spaghetti better because it doesn't have the sweet flavor that the squash has, and I think it is much easier to cook (I hate wrestling with the Squash to cut it in half)

If you have a Veggetti or other Spiralizer gadget Zucchini Spaghetti is SUPER easy to make - I picked up mine at Wal-mart for about $15

You could also use the larger slicer on a regular grater and then just cut the slices into strips!

This Zucchini Spaghetti is Gluten free, Dairy Free, and Vegan :)

Recipe: (Makes 1 Serving)

1 Zucchini - 46 calories (green zucchini works better than the yellow squash)
1/2 cup Tomato Sauce (no sugar added) - 50 calories           
= 96 Calories for a large bowl of spaghetti!

1. Wash your zucchini thoroughly and cut it into spaghetti strips
2. Place in medium sauce pan with enough water to cover, bring to a boil - boil for 3-4 minutes
3. Heat up spaghetti sauce in a separate sauce pan
4. Remove the sauce and noodles from heat - drain the zucchini noodles
5. Serve up the Zucchini Spaghetti while it's hot! Add garlic salt if desired