High Protein Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this High Protein Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce, a hearty and wholesome twist on the traditional favorite! Packed with lean ground turkey or chicken, creamy low-fat ricotta cheese, and vibrant baby spinach, this protein-rich sauce offers a nutritious and flavorful way to enjoy your favorite comfort dish. Slow-simmered with crushed tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, and aromatic Italian spices like oregano and basil, this recipe delivers deep, classic flavors. Perfectly balanced with a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, this robust sauce pairs beautifully with pasta or serves as a versatile topping for grains and roasted vegetables alike. Ready in under an hour and yielding generous servings, it’s the perfect choice for a weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on health or taste.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Ground turkey or chicken
- 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cups Baby spinach, chopped
- 1 cup Low-fat ricotta cheese
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until it's browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until well combined.
Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix the spices into the sauce.
Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and let it wilt, stirring to ensure even distribution.
Stir in the ricotta cheese until the sauce is creamy and homogenous.
Continue to simmer the sauce for an additional 5 minutes to blend all flavors.
Once cooked, remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve over your favorite pasta or use as a rich, high-protein topping for other dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1712 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 92.1 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.4 g | 142% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 480 mg | 160% | |
| Sodium | 4160 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 88.4 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.7 g | 88% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.8 g | ||
| Protein | 149.5 g | 299% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1421 mg | 109% | |
| Iron | 27.5 mg | 153% | |
| Potassium | 6410 mg | 136% | |
*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.
