Cowboy Spaghetti & Weekend Plans

On the dinner menu this week was, quite frankly, a ton of pasta.  It started off with Cowboy Spaghetti, followed by penne with homemade meatballs, and we rounded it all out last night with Joel's favorite, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204702745533861060/" target="_blank">Million Dollar Spaghetti</a>.  <br /><br />But please allow me to share this recipe for the Cowboy Spaghetti.  I borrowed this meal from the <a href="http://www.marlenekoch.com/books/eat-what-you-love/" target="_blank">Eat What You Love</a> cookbook.  This was different from traditional spaghetti in that it combined 3 different meats (beef, turkey and bacon) and was topped off with cheddar cheese, instead of the traditional grated Parmesan.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s1600/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctzzzglrVr3L_BpnAGVQDABQHvINAoMH8kWL7JSlofL9RhYeMtmj_xYwNH4Y7qHATaf4GGREd-_qVhVTc0E7jSeh8g3Fg7BvL-zUBdGKvdnlQx4UjicyLpeD6rwrNJA6ZHXZzKx5tud8/s320/eatwhatyoulove.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br />I had never heard of this version of pasta prior to making it but after soliciting feedback on Facebook, <a href="http://www.nothankstocake.com/" target="_blank">Kelly</a> confirmed that she had!  As it turns out, a quick Google search proved that other versions exist out there too, including a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/cowboy-spaghetti-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">5 star version</a> by Rachael Ray (her version has 298 reviews!).  If you click over, you'll see that the ingredients in her recipe are practically the same as this one I'm about to share!<br /><br /><br /><b>Cowboy Spaghetti</b> - <i>4 PointsPlus (for the sauce only)</i><br /><br /><i>Ingredients:</i><br /><ul><li>3 slices center-cut bacon, chopped</li><li>1 medium onion, chopped</li><li>1 medium green bell pepper, chopped</li><li>3-4 garlic cloves, minced</li><li>2 tsp dried oregano</li><li>1/2 lbs lean ground beef</li><li>1/2 pound lean ground turkey</li><li>1/8 tsp black pepper</li><li>1 tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco)</li><li>2 tsp Worcestershire sauce</li><li>1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes</li><li>1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce</li><li>3/4 cup (3 oz) reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese</li></ul><i>Directions:</i><br /><ol><li>Start by cooking your<a href="http://pasta-products-ronzonismarttaste.newworldpasta.com/Thin-Spaghetti-ZX0071300050016ZX2" target="_blank"> pasta of choice</a> according to the package directions while preparing the sauce.  Set aside when done.</li><li>Add the bacon to a large saute pan over medium-high heat and cook 5-6 minutes, or until slightly crispy.  Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and oregano and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until veggies are slightly softened.  Add the ground beef and turkey.  Break apart the meat as it cooks for 5-7 minutes, or until browned.</li><li> Add the black pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire, chopped tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  Stir and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.</li><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IpnQbauO30pLN0esxFauEzwXKxiUs4nWjR9lmFp-UEe7Dee7mOS2l_jXo-95xDNmF_WTTeDUL3hIz1YMQS_2Ms_Bjvy9VqgpJIajQcbxrFpGvB_nBV-B2tZ7q1ogXJf0pBwSlMpwGc0/s1600/Camping+&+VA+Beach+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IpnQbauO30pLN0esxFauEzwXKxiUs4nWjR9lmFp-UEe7Dee7mOS2l_jXo-95xDNmF_WTTeDUL3hIz1YMQS_2Ms_Bjvy9VqgpJIajQcbxrFpGvB_nBV-B2tZ7q1ogXJf0pBwSlMpwGc0/s400/Camping+&+VA+Beach+014.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br /><li>Serve the hot pasta topped with 1/2 cup of the cowboy sauce and shredded cheese.</li></ol><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTPYcyZeocKNRj4PK8fzvAHzEHeT_-MJYVyvR-E-opgS71vCa0QkjYIRDc4ah9HKMn8M-IvVKdv8EOpaeRfWs4Jiadhy4rR9V4SLieiEgaC37ejGtw45B4PQ0xAdgdHPOsoPNtWG4nUU/s1600/cowboy+spaghetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTPYcyZeocKNRj4PK8fzvAHzEHeT_-MJYVyvR-E-opgS71vCa0QkjYIRDc4ah9HKMn8M-IvVKdv8EOpaeRfWs4Jiadhy4rR9V4SLieiEgaC37ejGtw45B4PQ0xAdgdHPOsoPNtWG4nUU/s320/cowboy+spaghetti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;">*************************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend I'll be hitting the books and studying all there is to know about human anatomy and physiology.  In case you're new around here, I'm working on a second degree - I want to become a nurse!  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbRvLh0hN9ZEIKONGNi02E79fIc7QIBMuLnDaxixAKuJQ2W2KhhK7Mzi6abTJ7b6XuFoCuQSVx1xBXmAfuWbrDxDwiuepkVVajdnbRpSRIDrqrOapBQ3LAK0bKpCOUGOEiOjU5VMZ0E8/s1600/textbooks+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbRvLh0hN9ZEIKONGNi02E79fIc7QIBMuLnDaxixAKuJQ2W2KhhK7Mzi6abTJ7b6XuFoCuQSVx1xBXmAfuWbrDxDwiuepkVVajdnbRpSRIDrqrOapBQ3LAK0bKpCOUGOEiOjU5VMZ0E8/s400/textbooks+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's right - 4 textbooks for one measly class!  Other than studying, I may have a little shopping trip break to TJ Maxx and/or Lane Bryant.  Apparently LB is having major sales this weekend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm setting myself up for a fantastic, on plan weekend.  I've already completed 1 of my workouts for the week and I'm feeling very focused and motivated.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to maintaining a positive, on plan and productive weekend! </div>

cowboy spaghetti Weight Watcher Recipes Cowboy Spaghetti & Weekend Plans

On the dinner menu this week was, quite frankly, a ton of pasta.  It started off with Cowboy Spaghetti, followed by penne with homemade meat...

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