How to Make Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs. It's a classic comfort food that brings people together around the dinner table. But traditional Italian spaghetti sauce and meatballs can often be heavy on the calories and unhealthy fats. That's why we've created a healthier version of this beloved dish that doesn't sacrifice any of the flavor.

Our Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs recipe is packed with the same delicious and authentic Italian flavo...

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¾ cup chopped onion
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 basil leaves, torn, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Information

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 40 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Make the meatballs: Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Form into 12 balls. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
  • Make the sauce: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Stir in tomato paste, pepper, and basil; stir in meatballs. Simmer on low heat until meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
  • Discard bay leaf before serving.
  • Nutrition

    374 cal.

    • Total Fat: 21g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 81mg
    • Sodium: 1552mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 29g
    • Dietary Fiber: 6g
    • Total Sugars: 11g
    • Protein: 22g
    • Vitamin C: 36mg
    • Calcium: 141mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 1078mg