Southwestern Meatball Chili

Warm up with a hearty bowl of meat and vegetable chili tonight. Frozen meatballs make prep a cinch. In less than 30 minutes you'll have dinner on the table. Budget dinner price: $2.68 per serving.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4

Ingredients

• 1 (14 -16 ounce) package  fully cooked refrigerated  meatballs or 1 (14 -16 ounce) package  frozen  meatballs, thawed
• 1 (16 ounce) package  santa fe medley  frozen mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, and red peppers)
• 2  cups  chopped fresh  tomatoes, and or  cherry tomatoes
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 3  tablespoons tomato paste
•  sliced  jalapeno pepper (optional)
•  chopped cherry tomatoes (optional)
•  fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven combine thawed meatballs and vegetables, fresh tomatoes, the water, chili powder, and tomato paste. Cook, covered, over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Ladle chili into bowls. If desired, top with jalapeno peppers, cherry tomatoes, and/or cilantro.
3. CHANGE UP:
4. Substitute turkey meatballs for the beef meatballs. Substitute a 16-ounce package of frozen carrots, peas, and green beans for the Santa Fe vegetables. Substitute 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning for the chili powder.