Mediterranean Diet Macaroni with Ground Beef

Elevate your pasta night with this Mediterranean Diet Macaroni with Ground Beef, a wholesome and flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. This recipe features hearty whole wheat macaroni tossed in a savory tomato-based sauce enriched with aromatic garlic, onions, and sweet red bell peppers. Lean ground beef brings protein-packed richness, while baby spinach adds a boost of greens. The dish is beautifully seasoned with Mediterranean staples like oregano and basil, then topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley for a tangy, herbaceous finish. Quick and easy, this one-pot wonder is ready in just 45 minutes, making it a healthy, family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it warm with a side of crusty whole-grain bread for a complete Mediterranean-inspired feast!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz whole wheat macaroni
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat macaroni 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 chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the bell pepper begins to soften.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Add the baby spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and tomato mixture, stirring well to coat the pasta.

Step 8

Plate the macaroni mixture and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1726.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2696.3

Total Fat 99.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 356.0mg	0%
Sodium 4150.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 302.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.4g	0%
Total Sugars 40.1g
Protein 157.7g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 845.5mg	0%
Iron 32.9mg	0%
Potassium 3177.6mg	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: 32.7%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 44.2%