High Protein Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this High Protein Classic Tomato Pasta Sauce, a hearty and nutritious twist on a timeless favorite! This recipe combines the rich, savory flavors of crushed tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and a medley of Italian herbs with the protein-packed goodness of ground turkey or chicken. A touch of creamy low-fat ricotta cheese and a boost of nutrients from baby spinach make this sauce not only indulgently delicious but also a wholesome choice for any meal. Ready in just under an hour, this sauce is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, yielding a generous six servings. Serve it over your favorite pasta or as a versatile topping for zoodles, spaghetti squash, or baked dishes. Packed with flavor, loaded with protein, and enhanced with fresh parsley, this sauce is the perfect way to satisfy your cravings while staying health-conscious.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound Ground turkey or chicken
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup Low-fat ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 4

Add the ground turkey or chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until it's browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until well combined.

Step 6

Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix the spices into the sauce.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and let it wilt, stirring to ensure even distribution.

Step 9

Stir in the ricotta cheese until the sauce is creamy and homogenous.

Step 10

Continue to simmer the sauce for an additional 5 minutes to blend all flavors.

Step 11

Once cooked, remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Step 12

Serve over your favorite pasta or use as a rich, high-protein topping for other dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1927.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1712.3

Total Fat 92.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 479.8mg	0%
Sodium 4160.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 88.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.7g	0%
Total Sugars 44.8g
Protein 149.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1420.8mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 6410.4mg	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: 46.6%

Protein: 33.6%

Carbs: 19.9%