Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese

Savor a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food with this Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese! Made with whole-grain spaghetti and lean ground turkey, this recipe is packed with fiber and protein while keeping saturated fats to a minimum. A robust sauce of no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and earthy Italian seasoning gets a burst of freshness from chopped basil and tender spinach. Topped with a light sprinkling of low-fat mozzarella, this dish delivers all the satisfying flavors of a traditional spaghetti dinner without the guilt. Perfect for a wholesome family meal or a cozy weeknight dinner, this simple yet flavorful recipe can be ready in just 50 minutes and serves four generous portions. Enjoy the perfect balance of heart-healthy ingredients and rich, savory taste!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Whole-grain spaghetti
• 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb Lean ground turkey (93% lean or higher)
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz Canned crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped
• 2 cups Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cup Low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then cook the whole-grain spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until fully browned and no longer pink.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.

Step 8

Divide the cooked spaghetti into serving bowls or plates and top with the turkey meat sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle each serving with the low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy a healthy, hearty meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2072.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2064.4

Total Fat 88.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 381.6mg	0%
Sodium 2490.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 168.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.6g	0%
Total Sugars 46.1g
Protein 170.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1505.6mg	0%
Iron 25.0mg	0%
Potassium 5079.6mg	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: 36.9%

Protein: 31.8%

Carbs: 31.3%