I make pasta a lot. Different pastas, different variations of sauce, some with ground beef, some with Italian sausage, etc… I knew I was going to make my pasta sauce, but I decided on mini meatballs instead of the regular size I usually make. Why, you ask? Because when I am trying to lose weight, I want to make it seem like I am eating more than I am. So I will cut apple slices very thin, or I will cut a dinner roll like I’m cutting a loaf of bread, to get tiny little slices of bread. You get the idea!
So for my mini meatballs I used 3/4 pound of ground sirloin, 1 egg, hot sauce, garlic, parmesan cheese and a little bread crumbs.
Look how many meatballs it made!
For the sauce it was: 26 oz. can crushed tomatoes, 1 14 oz. can tomato sauce, garlic, onion, green pepper (all pureed) salt, pepper, oregano. Cook it for about 20 minutes.
I weighed the meatballs. For 3.5 ounces I got to have 12 mini meatballs. It was great. I was totally full after eating this bowl
The next thing I think is important to stay on track is planning ahead. I try to be the night before girl, making the food I am bringing to work the next day, so I am not rushed in the morning. Plus, by doing it at night, I tend to make better things because I have more time.
So I was thinking of making some kind of southwest bowl. I pulled out 2 frozen chicken tenders from my freezer, put them in a skillet and seasoned them with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. I cooked it on each side for about 3 minutes per side. I threw in some chopped green onion, some frozen black beans, some left over rice and cooked it all through. Then I added about 1/2 ounce of colby jack cheese.
This is going to be a totally deluxe lunch for me!
This is the best part of “brown bagging” my lunch, it’s better than a lot of places near my office to eat!
Do you bring your lunch to work/school??
Update
Okay, here is my lunch today. As I was telling my sister what I made for lunch, she said, all you need is corn and you can enter the BSI (blogger secret ingredient) contest this week which is being hosted by my friend Sophia. Corn is the secret ingredient. So, I ran to a local restaurant by my office that has a salad bar, and got some corn, kidney beans, red onions to add to my bowl. OMG, it was so good! So I entered the BSI contest this week for the 2nd time. So fun!
Love those mini meatballs! How delish!
Oh cute meatballs. I, too, have 3/4 lb. of ground beef to use – what an idea!
I usually always bring my lunch or come home for lunch when it comes to work. It’s so much healthier and I don’t feel like I’m handing over 95% of my paycheck to takeout and waitresses.
Also, another thing I’ve noticed is that when you eat take-out you produce a LOT of waste – cardboard boxes, dip containers, styrofoam containers, etc. It just fills up the trash bin too much, a double waste!
I LOVE the mini meatballs and how you get 12 in a serving!
WOW – I need to eat your deluxe lunch too!
Great pictures and post!
What cute mini-meatballs! They look yummy. I usually bring my lunch to work (either dinner leftovers or a PB sandwich). I also get free pizza twice a week!
Wow what a delectable combo….Looks yum…
man o man that is going to be a nice lunch – where is your office I can come by and share……LOL
YUM!!! I love meatballs so π
Both meals sounds delicious. I am planning on making some sort of pasta dish for dinner next week so I am keeping this in mind. Lately I have been in the habit of bringing veggie burgers for lunch.
I always bring my own lunch/dinner when I’m working. If not, I might not have anything to eat since I’m a vegetarian living in meat country π Plus it’s healthier and cheaper! Gotta love that!
The mini-meatballs also look very cute, in addition to making you think you’re eating more than you are π
I always bring my lunch… but if I saw YOUR lunch in the work fridge next to mine… I’d probably steal yours!!!!
Juust kidding, I wouldn’t steal your lunch. But I will steal your recipe! π
I used to always go out for lunch just to get out of the office. But the past year I have been bringing my own lunch and I am saving sooo much money!! I was so stupid to throw money away like that when I could make a more enjoyable and cheaper (healthier too!) lunch then some random restaurant.
The southwest bowl looks soo good!! That is a must try π
The mini-meatballs look so adorable and delicious!
jenn, thanks so much for your recipe submission! that sure looks like one tasty fiesta in a bowl! I shall update my BSI page soon to include this wonderful dish π
btw, I wasn’t sure from your comment…will you be joining our Warm Fuzzies game?
I bring my lunch to work but it’s never once looked as good as that. Multiple mini-meatballs…yum!
BTW, thanks so much for including me on your blog roll!
Ohh pasta! With lots of meatballs! Yay!
Thanks for the comment on my blog…I already read your brother’s blog and your sister’s blog and love them, so I am adding yours too!
Does your Mom have a blog? LOL!
Cute meatballs!
I try to bring my lunch to work but it’s really difficult because my office doesn’t have any fridges. I’m convinced it’s all a conspiracy to get us to have to buy food from the on-site cafeteria.