Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese
Indulge in a guilt-free twist on a classic comfort dish with our Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese. This recipe pairs nutrient-rich whole-grain spaghetti with a lean and flavorful ground turkey meat sauce, seasoned with aromatic Italian herbs and a touch of garlic. The sauce, made with no-salt-added crushed tomatoes and boosted with fresh spinach and basil, offers a delicious dose of veggies while keeping it light and heart-smart. Topped with a sprinkle of low-fat mozzarella cheese, this wholesome meal delivers all the flavors you love without compromising your healthy lifestyle. Ready in under an hour, this easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. Savory, satisfying, and packed with nutrients, it’s a pasta night reimagined!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Whole-grain spaghetti
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lb Lean ground turkey (93% lean or higher)
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz Canned crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 0.5 cup Low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then cook the whole-grain spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until fully browned and no longer pink.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.
Divide the cooked spaghetti into serving bowls or plates and top with the turkey meat sauce.
Sprinkle each serving with the low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy a healthy, hearty meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2064 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 88.0 g | 113% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.7 g | 144% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 382 mg | 127% | |
| Sodium | 2491 mg | 108% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 168.2 g | 61% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.6 g | 134% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.1 g | ||
| Protein | 170.6 g | 341% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1506 mg | 116% | |
| Iron | 25.0 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 5080 mg | 108% | |
*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.
