Whole30 Penne with Meat Sauce
Satisfy your pasta cravings without breaking your Whole30 commitment with this delicious "Whole30 Penne with Meat Sauce" recipe. This quick and wholesome dish swaps traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles, creating a lighter, veggie-packed alternative. The rich and hearty meat sauce features ground beef simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, delivering classic Italian flavors. A touch of red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat, while freshly chopped parsley provides a bright and fresh finish. Ready in just 45 minutes, this gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free dinner is as comforting as it is nourishing. Whether you’re meal prepping or looking for a satisfying weeknight dish, this zoodle-based twist on a classic will leave you feeling fully satiated and guilt-free.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 large zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Using a spiralizer, cut the zucchini into noodle shapes and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
Drain excess fat if necessary, then stir in the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.
Add oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a separate pan, lightly sauté the zucchini noodles over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until just tender.
Serve the zucchini noodles topped with the meat sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
479 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.2 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.4 g | 52% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 76 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 837 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.0 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.9 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.6 g | ||
| Protein | 25.6 g | 51% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 122 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 5.5 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 1627 mg | 35% | |
*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.
