Heart-Healthy Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Cheese
Elevate your pasta night with this Heart-Healthy Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Cheese, a perfect balance of flavor and wellness. Crafted with nutrient-rich whole wheat pasta, antioxidant-packed cherry tomatoes, and heart-friendly olive oil, this dish is as wholesome as it is delicious. The rich, aromatic tomato sauce features sautéed garlic, a touch of oregano, and the subtle heat of red pepper flakes, while fresh basil adds a vibrant finish. Topped with creamy, low-fat mozzarella cheese, this recipe is ideal for those seeking comfort food without the guilt. Ready in under 35 minutes, this quick dinner option is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to impress your family with its restaurant-quality taste. Serve it warm and watch it become a staple in your healthy eating repertoire!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Whole wheat pasta
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves
- 400 grams Cherry tomatoes
- 200 grams Tomato puree
- 10 grams Fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 100 grams Low-fat mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Begin by cooking the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a cup of the pasta water.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Finely chop the garlic cloves and add them to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes start to soften, around 5 minutes.
Add the tomato puree to the pan, stirring to combine it with the softened tomatoes. Add the oregano and red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper.
Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
While the sauce is simmering, roughly tear the basil leaves and add them to the sauce.
Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
Lower the heat and sprinkle the low-fat mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Allow it to melt gently, about 2 minutes.
Divide the pasta into serving bowls and garnish with more basil leaves if desired. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
783 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.0 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.2 g | 56% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 1895 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 92.2 g | 34% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.4 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.9 g | ||
| Protein | 46.1 g | 92% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 654 mg | 50% | |
| Iron | 7.1 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 2271 mg | 48% | |
*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.
