Heart-Healthy Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this Heart-Healthy Cheesy Meatball Casserole, a wholesome twist on a family-favorite comfort dish. Made with extra-lean ground turkey, whole-grain pasta, and a light layer of part-skim mozzarella, this recipe packs all the satisfying flavors you love while keeping things nutritious. Perfectly seasoned and baked meatballs are nestled between layers of tender rotini and low-sodium tomato sauce, then finished with melty cheese and fragrant fresh basil for a delightful, guilt-free indulgence. With just 20 minutes of prep and a short bake time, this casserole is ideal for busy families seeking a balanced, flavorful meal. Whether you're meal prepping or serving it fresh for dinner, this cheesy meatball casserole is sure to become a go-to in your heart-healthy recipe collection!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Extra-lean ground turkey
- 0.5 cup Whole-grain breadcrumbs
- 2 large Egg whites
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian herbs
- 2 cups Low-sodium tomato sauce
- 8 ounces Whole-grain rotini pasta
- 1 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine extra-lean ground turkey, whole-grain breadcrumbs, egg whites, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs are baking, cook the whole-grain rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large oven-safe baking dish, spread a thin layer of low-sodium tomato sauce on the bottom.
Add half of the cooked pasta as an even layer over the sauce.
Place the cooked meatballs on top of the pasta.
Cover the meatballs with the remaining pasta.
Pour the rest of the tomato sauce evenly over the pasta and meatballs.
Sprinkle part-skim mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake the casserole in the oven for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Serve the casserole hot, and enjoy a heart-healthy, cheesy delight!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2220 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.6 g | 46% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.9 g | 74% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 384 mg | 128% | |
| Sodium | 2859 mg | 124% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 273.0 g | 99% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 41.6 g | 149% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.6 g | ||
| Protein | 209.7 g | 419% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 942 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 3633 mg | 77% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
