Heart-Healthy Cheesy Meatball Casserole

Indulge in the comforting flavors of a classic casserole with a healthy twist in our Heart-Healthy Cheesy Meatball Casserole. Made with extra-lean ground turkey, whole-grain breadcrumbs, and part-skim mozzarella, this dish is packed with protein, fiber, and reduced saturated fat to support your health goals without sacrificing taste. Tender turkey meatballs and hearty whole-grain rotini are layered with a zesty, low-sodium tomato sauce and baked to perfection under a blanket of gooey melted cheese. Fresh basil adds a burst of aromatic freshness to every bite. Quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep, this guilt-free comfort food serves up six satisfying portions. Pair it with a crisp side salad or enjoy it as a standalone meal for a wholesome, flavorful experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Extra-lean ground turkey
• 0.5 cup Whole-grain breadcrumbs
• 2 large Egg whites
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian herbs
• 2 cups Low-sodium tomato sauce
• 8 ounces Whole-grain rotini pasta
• 1 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine extra-lean ground turkey, whole-grain breadcrumbs, egg whites, garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, cook the whole-grain rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 6

In a large oven-safe baking dish, spread a thin layer of low-sodium tomato sauce on the bottom.

Step 7

Add half of the cooked pasta as an even layer over the sauce.

Step 8

Place the cooked meatballs on top of the pasta.

Step 9

Cover the meatballs with the remaining pasta.

Step 10

Pour the rest of the tomato sauce evenly over the pasta and meatballs.

Step 11

Sprinkle part-skim mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 12

Bake the casserole in the oven for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Step 14

Serve the casserole hot, and enjoy a heart-healthy, cheesy delight!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1452.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2220.3

Total Fat 35.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 383.5mg	0%
Sodium 2859.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.6g	0%
Total Sugars 48.6g
Protein 209.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 941.5mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 3633.0mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 14.2%

Protein: 37.3%

Carbs: 48.5%