Weight Watchers Chilli Con Carne Meatballs (Gluten-free)
Looking for a healthier weeknight meal. Then try these Chilli Con Carne Meatballs, aka an easy one-pot recipe with, lower fat and only 371 calories per serving. These are gluten-free.
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Weight Watchers. Thank you for supporting them. All opinions are my own.
So, about food blogging. It is absolute fun. I get to do my one of favourite jobs, in the whole wide world, for a living. I get to create, taste, re-create, make it perfect (in my head), photograph and share all my food adventures with you guys. So yes, the best job in the world.
BUT.
It is rather easy for food blogging to turn into a sedentary job. Cooking, taking photographs, editing them, writing and social media involves a lot of sitting etc. I get less fit and the weight creeps on. Also on really crazy days, when I am waaaaaaaay too tired to cook, I tend to just want to grab something unhealthy and easy.
So, I have a cunning plan – aka stock up my fridge with some food that is tasty, healthier and nutritious and comes with the tagline ‘no food is off limits”, for days when I just NEED to eat, NOT cook.
Enter Weight Watchers with their huge range of ready to eat foods and their really simple and new SmartPoints system. Personally, I like this idea much more than their previous system.
The idea behind SmartPoints is that they help nudge you towards nutritious, healthier foods so that you eat better, feel better, have more energy AND lose weight. So, foods that are higher in sugar and/or saturated fat are higher in SmartPoints values. Foods that are higher in lean protein are lower in SmartPoints values. You’re steered towards healthier choices. Simples and clever right?
To make it even simpler to make healthier eating and shopping choices, Weight Watchers has unveiled a brand new packaging design. This clearly shows SmartPoints value and calorie and nutritional information. So, the only thinking necessary is what delicious treats to get.
Next time you are out doing your supermarket shop check out some of the Weight Watchers range like these chilled ready meals, yoghurts, cheese, dessert (yes please) pittas and drinks. So much choice there.
Having been inspired by all the Weight Watchers food range, I also decided to try and make healthier choices when cooking starting by recreating the Weight Watchers Chilli Con Carne Meatballs recipe.
The Chilli Con Carne Meatballs are an easy one-pot recipe with, lower fat and only 371 calories per serving. I served it simply with Instant Pot Brown Rice but, you can use wholemeal pasta or if you want to reduce your carbs, you could serve with a salad or some stir-fried veggies.
Weight Watchers Points in Chilli Con Carne Meatballs
There are 6 Freestyle Points in one serving of Chilli Con Carne Meatballs.
More Meatballs recipes
Thank you for reading my Weight Watchers chilli Con Carne Meatballs recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you.
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Weight Watchers Meatballs Chilli Con Carne
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1lb)extra lean beef mince
- 30 g (1 oz) sachet chilli con carne spice mix
- 1 onion , finely grated
- Calorie controlled cooking spray
- 1 green chilli , de-seeded and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 2 x 400g (14oz) tins of chopped tomatoes
- 150 ml (0.6cups) stock
- 400 g (14oz ) black-eye beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together the beef mince, half the chilli spice mix and the onion in a large bowl. Before shaping into 24 small meatballs.
- Place a saucepan over medium heat and spray with the cooking spray. Cook the meatballs in batches for about 10 mins, turning occasionally until browned all over and almost cooked. Remove and set aside somewhere warm.
- Spray the pan again with the cooking spray and add the chopped chilli, tomato puree and remaining spice mix. Cook for 1 min before stirring in the chopped tomatoes and stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.
- Return the meatballs to the saucepan followed by the black-eyed beans. Simmer with the lid uncovered for a further 5 mins until the chilli has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through. Check the seasoning and serve immediately.
- You can serve the chilli with brown rice or stir fried rice and guacamole and soured cream.
Notes
Nutrition
That sounds like a nice and healthy stick to your bones meal!
Wow these meatballs look amazing!! I love that they are also healthier and low in calories!
Thank you for this recipe, blogging not only is sedentary but also looking at all these recipes it makes you eat even more. Delicious
What a great recipe! I love the way Weight Watchers works, that it isn’t just based on calories and that it really helps you pick healthy choices while also having a sweet treat now and then. I used it after my first daughter was born! These meatballs look amazing – I’m definitely saving this recipe for later!
Oh my goodness that looks so good! I’m not against having the occasional WW ready meal to help keep the balance too. 😉
The struggle is real isn’t it?? These meatballs look amazing. So much great flavor! You won’t even miss the added calories.
I love having ready-made meals on hand, because some days I just don’t feel like cooking! (And I’m a huge fan of Weight Watchers. Good luck!)
Those meatballs look so hearty and comforting. I love that they’re healthier too!
Yum! I love a delicious meal that is healthy for you too. I definitely need more of this in my life. You are right about the sedentary lifestyle that is surrounded by food.
Your chili with the meatballs looks amazing! I make meatballs with tons of veggies and simmer them with a homemade marinara. Serve it over spaghetti squash and I’m sure it’s a Weight Watcher’s “do”. I’ll have to check the market for these handy meals!
I think having some fall backs that are quick, easy, tasty and healthy all-in-one is very handy indeed. These meatballs look super!
Oh, those meatballs look delicious! I need to try this chili 🙂
These meatballs look so delicious! Love the fact that they are low in calories too!
I completely understand that just want to eat not cook part of the food blogging world, but at the end of the day, still absolutely love it! …and these meatballs look and sound delicious!
I definitely hear you on the food blogging as a sedentary activity! I especially struggle since I tend to my blog in the odd hours between my day job and being a mama, so there is really very little time to work out, and I always feel it’s a little ironic when I’m so tired from working on the blog and everything else that I don’t want to cook dinner, HA! These look like a great option for a quick, healthy meal, and your photos are gorgeous, as always.
I do very much enjoy making and eating food, but you do have to be well aware of enjoying it a little too much at times. I’ve heard great things about Weight Watchers foods, and know many people who swear by them. They are ideal for those days when you do not want to cook, as well as being a tasty meal without just being a few green leaves.
These look so tasty Bintu, absolutely love that they’re low cal! This is where I can relate “I get less fit and the weight creeps on. Also on really crazy days, when I am waaaaaaaay too tired to cook, I tend to just want to grab something unhealthy and easy.” 🙂 In fact, I can relate with your whole item, you’re so right, and I bet I’m not the only one 🙂