Heart-Healthy Pasta with Ground Meat and Vegetables

Whip up a nutritious and flavorful dinner with this Heart-Healthy Pasta with Ground Meat and Vegetables! Featuring wholesome whole wheat pasta, lean ground turkey or chicken, and a medley of vibrant vegetables like zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious. Enhanced with garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of tomato paste, the sauce is light yet robust, making it perfect for health-conscious diners. With just 15 minutes of prep and a total cook time of 30 minutes, this easy one-skillet meal brings together bold Mediterranean flavors while keeping sodium in check thanks to low-sodium chicken broth and herbs for seasoning. Serve this satisfying, heart-smart pasta recipe for a dinner that’s perfect for the whole family and packed with wholesome ingredients!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Whole wheat pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Lean ground turkey or chicken
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Zucchini, diced
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Begin by boiling a large pot of water. Add a pinch of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 3

3. Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet. Cook and crumble the meat with a spoon until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

4. Stir in the diced red bell pepper, diced zucchini, and minced garlic. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 5

5. Add the cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, and low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

6. Season the mixture with dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.

Step 7

7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the sauce and vegetables until well combined.

Step 8

8. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Step 9

9. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1678.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1503.4

Total Fat 72.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 362.9mg	0%
Sodium 1653.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 102.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.6g	0%
Total Sugars 24.2g
Protein 124.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 345.0mg	0%
Iron 16.7mg	0%
Potassium 3395.3mg	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: 41.8%

Protein: 31.9%

Carbs: 26.3%