Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce

Transform your pasta night into a nourishing and flavorful experience with this Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce. Featuring tender whole-grain spaghetti and a homemade marinara sauce rich in hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion, this recipe is seasoned with aromatic dried herbs and a touch of heat from optional red pepper flakes. Instead of relying on excess salt, it uses a low-sodium vegetable broth and fresh ingredients, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a heart-conscious meal without sacrificing taste. Ready in just 45 minutes, this delicious dish is packed with fiber, healthy fats from extra-virgin olive oil, and vibrant flavors that the entire family will love. Garnish with fresh parsley for a final pop of color and serve up a wholesome, satisfying dinner that's as good for your health as it is for your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Whole-grain spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium Carrots, finely diced
• 2 Celery stalks, finely diced
• 28 ounces Canned, no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup Low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 0.5 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (optional, or salt substitute)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the whole-grain spaghetti according to package instructions, omitting salt and oil. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender.

Step 5

Add the canned crushed tomatoes and low-sodium vegetable broth to the skillet, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add salt or a salt substitute, if desired, keeping heart-health guidelines in mind.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of additional vegetable broth.

Step 9

Serve the cooked whole-grain spaghetti topped with the marinara sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 10

Enjoy your heart-healthy meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1761.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	888.4

Total Fat 31.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1555.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 143.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.2g	0%
Total Sugars 47.4g
Protein 27.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 380.3mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 3722.4mg	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: 29.2%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 59.5%