Low Carb Penne with Meat Sauce

Discover a healthier twist on a classic comfort food with this Low Carb Penne with Meat Sauce recipe, a perfect choice for keto enthusiasts or anyone looking to cut back on carbs without compromising on flavor. Instead of traditional pasta, this recipe features tender zucchini noodles, providing a light and wholesome base for the hearty, homemade meat sauce. Simmered to perfection with ground beef, aromatic garlic, diced tomatoes, and a blend of Italian herbs, the rich, savory sauce pairs perfectly with the delicate zucchini "penne." Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish is easy to prepare and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan for a satisfying, guilt-free meal. Enjoy it as a quick dinner option or meal prep it for a delicious, low-carb weeknight favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium Zucchini
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 14.5 ounces Canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the zucchini penne. Using a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into noodle-like strips, resembling the shape of penne pasta. Set these aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it's browned, breaking it apart with a spatula or wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Step 3

While the beef is cooking, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Once the beef is browned and drained, add the onion and garlic to the skillet and continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes and the tomato paste, mixing well with the meat and onion mixture.

Step 6

Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes on low heat to blend the flavors together.

Step 7

While the sauce is simmering, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in another pan over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are just tender but still firm to the bite.

Step 8

Serve the zucchini penne onto plates and top with the meat sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle each serving with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1898.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1916.2

Total Fat 130.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.8g
Cholesterol 351.6mg	0%
Sodium 9658.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 97.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.0g	0%
Total Sugars 77.6g
Protein 91.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 615.6mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 4219.8mg	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: 60.8%

Protein: 19.0%

Carbs: 20.2%