Low Sodium Spaghetti with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

Savor the comforting flavors of classic Italian cuisine with a heart-healthy twist in this Low Sodium Spaghetti with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce. Perfectly seasoned meatballs, made with lean beef or turkey, pair beautifully with a robust, homemade tomato sauce crafted from no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fragrant herbs like basil and oregano. Served over tender low-sodium spaghetti, this dish is an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. Easy to prepare in just 20 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, this wholesome recipe is ideal for a family-friendly dinner and can be customized with optional Parmesan for a cheesy finish.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground lean beef or turkey
• 0.5 cup Plain bread crumbs (low sodium)
• 1 large Egg
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup Onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 oz No-salt-added crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (no salt added)
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 cup Unsalted chicken or vegetable broth
• 12 oz Low-sodium spaghetti
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, bread crumbs, egg, 1 minced garlic clove, half of the chopped onion, parsley, and ground black pepper. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 2

Form the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have approximately 12-15 meatballs. Set aside on a plate.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned all over. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the remaining onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until softened, about 3 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, and unsalted broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the flavors have melded.

Step 7

While the sauce and meatballs are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the low-sodium spaghetti according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes for al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired (optional).

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2056.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2729.9

Total Fat 137.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 50.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 630.0mg	0%
Sodium 1511.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 201.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.4g	0%
Total Sugars 37.5g
Protein 183.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 1063.0mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 4161.6mg	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: 44.5%

Protein: 26.4%

Carbs: 29.0%