Money Matters: Grown Up Spaghettios

Tis the season for…soup.

Be it the weather or the wish for lower calorie meals that are still filling and delicious, soups are the answer. The varieties are endless and they pair well with other lighter fare such as salads and sandwiches.

I didn’t grow up on spaghettios…at least not that I recall (my household was more chicken noodle soup-ers). But spaghettios are one of those foods that most people really like, even though its simplicity and whereabouts from a can may give it a sub-optimal reputation.

Unlike spaghettios in the traditional sense, these Grown Up Spaghettios offer more balance and bulk. With turkey sausage, whole wheat macaroni, and green veggies this version certainly appeals to adults and kids alike.

One pot. And 25-ish minutes from start-to-finish.

Few ingredients. Eight, if you’re counting.

Healthy. A mere 207 calories for a plentiful 2 cup serving. Low in fat and 4.4 grams of fiber.

Inexpensive. Paying $2.00+ for a can of soup is absurd.

And even better as leftovers. No, really.

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Grown Up Spaghettios based on Kaylyn Kitchen’s Italian Soup, as seen on and slightly adapted from My Bizzy Kitchen

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 (29 oz) can no salt added tomato puree
3 links turkey Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups dry whole wheat macaroni
3 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
1 large zucchini, cut into half-moons

Directions:

Take the sausage out of the casings. In a large stock pot, brown the sausage with the Italian seasoning and garlic until no longer pink.

Add chicken broth and tomato puree. Bring to a boil and add macaroni and cook about 12-14 minutes, until the macaroni is tender.

Add zucchini and cook for 5 minutes on low. Remove from heat and add baby spinach. Serve hot. Yield: 7 servings (2 cups each).

Nutrition Information (per serving): 207 calories; 5.1 g. fat; 30 mg. cholesterol; 465 mg. sodium; 24.9 g. carbohydrate; 4.4 g. fiber; 15.7 g. protein

Result: It doesn’t get much simpler or quicker than this! These spaghettios offer up fun textures and desirable nutrition stats. Making soups such as this are not only healthier but cheaper, too! Enjoy!

Money Matters: I buy broth on sale for $0.60 for a 14 ounce can (x2). Whole wheat macaroni was $1.60/box ($0.12/ounce). Italian sausage was $4.85 for a package of 5 links (I used 3 – $2.91). The package of spinach I purchased was 10 ounces ($0.20/ounce – I used 3 ounces). Zucchini were $0.60 each and the tomato puree was $2.19 for a 29 ounce can. The total cost of the recipe can to $8.32 making the cost per serving $1.19.

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Mr. Prevention, Lily, and I are heading back to Columbus today. It’s hard to believe I’ll be at work tomorrow – boooo. Luckily, there’s only two days to get through and ease me back into the real world. December has been swell and I have some big news I’ll be sharing on Friday!

See you in Ohio,