Whole30 Penne with Meat Sauce

Satisfy your craving for a hearty Italian classic while staying true to your Whole30 goals with this delicious Whole30 Penne with Meat Sauce. This recipe swaps carb-heavy pasta for tender, nutrient-packed zucchini noodles, creating a lighter, gluten-free base that pairs perfectly with the bold, savory flavors of a rich, tomato-based beef sauce. Made from ground beef browned to perfection and simmered with fragrant garlic, onion, and a medley of Italian herbs, this dish is brimming with wholesome, real-food ingredients. Ready in just 45 minutes and packed with protein and vegetables, it's an ideal option for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of brightness and enjoy a comforting dish that’s as nutritious as it is satisfying. Perfect for Whole30, paleo, and low-carb lifestyles!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Using a spiralizer, cut the zucchini into noodle shapes and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.

Step 5

Drain excess fat if necessary, then stir in the canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.

Step 6

Add oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

In a separate pan, lightly sauté the zucchini noodles over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until just tender.

Step 9

Serve the zucchini noodles topped with the meat sauce.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2483.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1921.8

Total Fat 113.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 13194.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 147.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.1g	0%
Total Sugars 113.7g
Protein 100.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 484.6mg	0%
Iron 19.8mg	0%
Potassium 6621.7mg	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: 50.7%

Protein: 20.0%

Carbs: 29.3%