Low Sodium Tomato Meat Sauce

Savor the hearty richness of this Low Sodium Tomato Meat Sauce, a flavorful yet heart-healthy twist on a classic comfort food staple. Perfectly seasoned with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this sauce features lean ground beef, a medley of fresh vegetables, and no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, making it an ideal option for those watching their sodium intake. A hint of grated carrot adds natural sweetness, while optional crushed red pepper flakes lend a subtle kick. Simmered to perfection, this versatile sauce pairs wonderfully with pasta, stuffed vegetables, or as a base for lasagna. Quick to prepare and yielding six generous servings, it's a wholesome and satisfying solution for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef (90% lean or higher)
• 1 medium Onion, finely diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (no-salt-added)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (no-salt-added)
• 1 medium Carrot, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 Bay leaf
• 0.5 cup Water (or low-sodium beef/chicken broth)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat, if necessary.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the grated carrot, no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water (or low-sodium broth). Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Mix in the dried oregano, dried basil, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Add the bay leaf to the sauce.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Note that this is a low sodium recipe, so salt is not included, but additional herbs can be added according to preference.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Serve the sauce over pasta, stuffed peppers, or use it as a base for lasagna. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1604.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1441.0

Total Fat 82.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 313.1mg	0%
Sodium 487.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 72.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.4g	0%
Total Sugars 41.1g
Protein 106.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 287.9mg	0%
Iron 15.6mg	0%
Potassium 3969.7mg	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: 50.8%

Protein: 29.2%

Carbs: 20.0%