Heart-Healthy Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

Transform your pasta night with this **Heart-Healthy Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef**, a flavorful and nutritious twist on a classic comfort food. Made with **lean ground beef** and enriched with a medley of **carrots, zucchini, and spinach**, this wholesome sauce is packed with vegetables—perfect for those seeking a healthier option without sacrificing taste. Simmered to perfection with **crushed tomatoes, low-sodium tomato paste, and aromatic Italian herbs**, this dish delivers a robust, slow-cooked flavor in just 45 minutes. Plus, it’s made with **olive oil** for heart-healthy fats and incorporates seasoning carefully chosen to be low in sodium. Serve this hearty sauce over whole-grain or legume-based pasta for a high-fiber, nutrient-filled meal, and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish. Ideal for meal prepping or feeding the whole family, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and wholesome eating.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 medium zucchini, finely diced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
• 0.5 cup water or low-sodium beef broth

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary and set the beef aside on a plate.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced zucchini to the pan. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring, until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 5

Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, low-sodium tomato paste, and water or low-sodium beef broth. Mix thoroughly to combine.

Step 6

Add the cooked ground beef back to the pan, then stir in the dried Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld.

Step 8

During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped spinach and let it wilt into the sauce.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more black pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve the heart-healthy spaghetti sauce over whole-grain or legume-based pasta for added fiber. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1910.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1638.2

Total Fat 85.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 340.2mg	0%
Sodium 567.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.0g	0%
Total Sugars 46.3g
Protein 138.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 483.8mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 5337.5mg	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: 46.1%

Protein: 33.3%

Carbs: 20.6%