Mediterranean Diet Macaroni with Meat Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this hearty and nutritious Mediterranean Diet Macaroni with Meat Sauce! This crowd-pleasing recipe combines tender whole wheat macaroni with a rich, flavorful sauce made from lean ground beef, fresh vegetables like zucchini and red bell pepper, and aromatic spices, including a hint of ground cinnamon for a subtle Mediterranean twist. Simmered in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, the sauce achieves a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors. Finished with a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley, this dish is a wholesome yet indulgent way to enjoy the comforting flavors of the Mediterranean diet. Ready in just over an hour and loaded with fiber and protein, it's an ideal meal for a satisfying, healthy dinner that the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams whole wheat macaroni
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 250 grams lean ground beef
• 1 whole medium onion
• 3 whole garlic cloves
• 1 whole red bell pepper
• 1 whole zucchini
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 50 grams feta cheese

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the whole wheat macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Chop the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the browned beef, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Step 4

Add the bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, mixing well to incorporate with the beef and vegetables.

Step 6

Season the mixture with oregano, basil, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

While the sauce simmers, wash and chop the fresh parsley.

Step 8

Once the sauce is well thickened and fragrant, adjust seasoning to taste. Combine the cooked macaroni with the meat sauce, gently tossing to ensure the pasta is well coated.

Step 9

Serve the macaroni with meat sauce on plates. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1460.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1944.4

Total Fat 65.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 199.4mg	0%
Sodium 4315.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 251.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.7g	0%
Total Sugars 52.2g
Protein 101.5g	0%

Vitamin D 8IU	0%
Calcium 557.9mg	0%
Iron 22.2mg	0%
Potassium 3461.8mg	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: 29.5%

Protein: 20.3%

Carbs: 50.3%