Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Meatballs

Transform your favorite comfort food into a guilt-free indulgence with this Heart-Healthy Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Meatballs. Perfectly balancing flavor and nutrition, this recipe swaps traditional pasta for whole-grain spaghetti and uses lean ground turkey for the meatballs, combined with rolled oats for a wholesome binder. The rich, homemade tomato sauce gets its robust taste from a medley of garlic, onion, and herbs, all simmered to perfection with low-sodium crushed tomatoes. Baked meatballs ensure a lighter finish without sacrificing texture or flavor. Ready in just under an hour, this satisfying meal is an ideal choice for healthy weeknight dinners. Garnish with fresh parsley and basil for a vibrant, aromatic touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Whole-grain spaghetti
• 1 lb Lean ground turkey (93% lean or higher)
• 0.25 cup Rolled oats (use as a binder)
• 2 tbsp Low-fat milk
• 1 large Egg white
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 28 oz Low-sodium canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 large Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the whole-grain spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine lean ground turkey, rolled oats, low-fat milk, egg white, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 4

Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and golden brown.

Step 6

While the meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant and softened.

Step 7

Stir in the low-sodium crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are cooked, gently add them to the skillet with the tomato sauce and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Serve the cooked spaghetti topped with the heart-healthy tomato sauce and meatballs. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1827.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1712.0

Total Fat 57.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 319.9mg	0%
Sodium 533.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 171.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.2g	0%
Total Sugars 36.1g
Protein 138.3g	0%

Vitamin D 12.6IU	0%
Calcium 403.3mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 4124.6mg	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: 29.4%

Protein: 31.5%

Carbs: 39.0%