Mediterranean Diet Fusilli Pasta with Meat Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this Mediterranean Diet Fusilli Pasta with Meat Sauce—a wholesome and flavor-packed twist on a classic favorite. Featuring nutrient-rich whole wheat fusilli, lean ground beef, and a savory tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic garlic, red wine, and Mediterranean herbs, this dish offers a balance of hearty and healthy. Baby spinach adds a burst of freshness, while briny kalamata olives and creamy crumbled feta cheese deliver the quintessential Mediterranean flair. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this 4-serving recipe comes together in under an hour, combining comfort food appeal with the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces whole wheat fusilli pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 cup, pitted and sliced kalamata olives
• 0.5 cup, crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Drain any excess fat from the pan, if necessary.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and red wine, then stir in the tomato paste.

Step 7

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the sauce and mix well.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.

Step 9

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the baby spinach to the sauce and allow it to wilt.

Step 10

Stir the sliced kalamata olives into the sauce.

Step 11

To serve, place a portion of fusilli pasta on each plate and top with the Mediterranean meat sauce.

Step 12

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2143.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3044.4

Total Fat 117.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 347.8mg	0%
Sodium 6013.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 332.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 62.9g	0%
Total Sugars 48.7g
Protein 161.2g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 940.6mg	0%
Iron 38.4mg	0%
Potassium 4917.6mg	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: 34.9%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 43.8%