Paleo Macaroni with Meat Sauce
Experience the ultimate comfort food makeover with this Paleo Macaroni with Meat Sauce—a grain-free, gluten-free delight that swaps traditional pasta for tender zucchini noodles. Packed with flavors from hearty ground beef, robust crushed tomatoes, and aromatic Italian seasoning, this dish is perfectly layered with fresh basil and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy, umami touch. The zucchini noodles are spiralized and lightly sautéed for a tender-crisp texture, making them a lighter yet satisfying base for the rich meat sauce. Quick to prepare and brimming with wholesome ingredients, this recipe is ideal for those following Paleo or low-carb diets, and it's sure to become a family favorite. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, it's a nutritious twist on classic comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 large zucchini
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh basil
- 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
Instructions
Start by preparing the zucchini noodles: Wash and trim the ends off the zucchinis and use a spiralizer to make the 'macaroni' noodles. Set them aside on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves. Add them to the heated skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
While the sauce simmers, pat the zucchini noodles dry and quickly sauté them in another pan over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. You want them to be tender-crisp.
Remove the zucchini noodles from the pan to stop them from cooking further, and set them aside.
Finish the meat sauce by stirring in the chopped fresh basil and adjust the seasoning to taste.
To serve, place a portion of the zucchini noodles on a plate, top with the meat sauce, and sprinkle with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Enjoy your Paleo-friendly, grain-free Macaroni with Meat Sauce!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1821 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 112.5 g | 144% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.3 g | 186% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 321 mg | 107% | |
| Sodium | 12200 mg | 530% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 120.8 g | 44% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.9 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 92.1 g | ||
| Protein | 88.5 g | 177% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 403 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 17.3 mg | 96% | |
| Potassium | 4799 mg | 102% | |
*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.
