Heart-Healthy Rigatoni Pasta with Meat Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this Heart-Healthy Rigatoni Pasta with Meat Sauce—a wholesome twist on a classic comfort dish. Made with hearty whole wheat rigatoni, extra-lean ground turkey, and a medley of vibrant flavors like garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, this nutrient-packed recipe is both satisfying and nourishing. The rich tomato-based sauce is enhanced with fresh spinach for an added boost of vitamins and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a touch of indulgence. Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Serve it hot with a garnish of fresh parsley for a flavorful, well-balanced meal that's as heart-smart as it is delicious. Keywords: heart-healthy pasta, rigatoni with meat sauce, whole wheat pasta recipe, healthy dinner recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Whole wheat rigatoni pasta
• 1 pound Extra-lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes, no salt added
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and the whole wheat rigatoni. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the extra-lean ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well.

Step 7

Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Add the spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.

Step 11

Combine the cooked rigatoni with the meat sauce, mixing until the pasta is well coated.

Step 12

Serve the pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1978.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2360.6

Total Fat 44.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 357.5mg	0%
Sodium 1757.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 327.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.7g	0%
Total Sugars 46.5g
Protein 200.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1019.7mg	0%
Iron 30.1mg	0%
Potassium 5749.2mg	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: 15.8%

Protein: 32.0%

Carbs: 52.2%