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Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

Name: Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs; ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 egg, beaten; ¾ cup chopped onion; 5 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ cup olive oil; 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 bay leaf; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 basil leaves, torn, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Rating: 4.33 stars

12 Ratings
12 Reviews
6 Photos

We added carrot and fresh garlic to this spaghetti sauce, and even made the meatballs healthier by using whole wheat breadcrumbs and fresh parsley. We suggest serving over the whole grain pasta of your choice.

By MakeItHealthy

Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

2 hrs

total:

2 hrs 20 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 clove garlic, and beaten egg in a large bowl. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store covered in refrigerator until needed.

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Step 2

Cook and stir onion, 5 cloves garlic, and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until onions are translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 60 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, basil, and meatballs. Simmer on low heat until meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes.

Editor's Note:

This recipe is a healthier version of Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

374 calories; 20.7 g total fat; 81 mg cholesterol; 1552 mg sodium. 29.1 g carbohydrates; 21.5 g protein; Full Nutrition

Reviews (12)

Most helpful positive review

Baking Nana

07/23/2012

Pretty tasty but I have to say I did not use 1/4 Cup olive oil. Even though it is a good for you fat it still packs a punch in calories. Read More

Helpful

(13)

Most helpful critical review

Matthew Lie Ken Jie

12/19/2016

This recipe is terrible. The meat balls don't hold together in the sauce. After an hour and a half of cooking there is not any sauce left. I needed a lot of modification to make it possible Read More

12 Ratings

5 star values: 7
4 star values: 4
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Baking Nana

07/23/2012

Pretty tasty but I have to say I did not use 1/4 Cup olive oil. Even though it is a good for you fat it still packs a punch in calories. Read More

Helpful

(13)

Baking Nana

07/23/2012

Pretty tasty but I have to say I did not use 1/4 Cup olive oil. Even though it is a good for you fat it still packs a punch in calories. Read More

Helpful

(13)

Sudie B

02/28/2014

This is a very fresh tasting sauce and the meatballs are good. Before adding the meatballs crush any whole tomatoes that have not broken down. Read More

Helpful

(5)

Coach P

08/07/2015

I made the recipe as instructed except used one and a half teaspoon salt and one half teaspoon sugar. I used 90% lean beef for the meatballs and doubled the meatballs recipe. When I tried to roll the meatballs, though; I was unable to obtain the right texture. Even though I used half the meatballs in the sauce, the meatballs took much longer than 30 minutes to cook through. Next time I will make a few changes: less olive oil, ground meat that is not so lean, italian seasoning for meatballs, and oregano for the sauce, and continue to use less sugar. The extra serving of meatballs I baked and saved for appetizers and sandwiches. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Gayle L Longley

07/01/2016

Made this for VBS we were leaning on trying to make healthier dinners for the children. This was a big hit! I mean BIG. they loved it. They had no idea that I served it with veggie spaghetti. thanks Read More

Helpful

(1)

Glen Charles Pritchard

01/12/2016

Simply and delicious. Certainly a "go-to" recipe from now on. Read More

Helpful

(1)

sophie

02/24/2016

fab recipe my 3 year old and her friends cleaned there plates! recommend highly x Read More

Helpful

(1)

ZombieBunny

05/17/2015

Made this for my roommates and had rave reviews! The only thing I did differently was to add about 1/2 as much tomato paste as I prefer a thinner sauce. Read More

BETHF71

06/27/2015

The only thing I did different with this recipe is I didn't have plain breadcrumbs so I used Italian breadcrumbs. I have tried & failed several times in the past to make meatballs that pass the muster of my picky husband & son. This recipe is a hit & makes me happy that I can finally make meatballs that the whole family enjoys. Thanks!! Read More

Nish

06/19/2019

love how simple and delicious this recipe is! i added just a bit of red chili powder to give it a kick... my hubby loves this and keeps asking for me to make it again! Read More

Matthew Lie Ken Jie

12/19/2016

This recipe is terrible. The meat balls don't hold together in the sauce. After an hour and a half of cooking there is not any sauce left. I needed a lot of modification to make it possible Read More

More Reviews

Back to Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

All Reviews for Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

- of Reviews

Nutritional Information

Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories: 374

% Daily Value *

total fat: 32 %

saturated fat:

cholesterol: 27 %

sodium: 62 %

potassium: 30 %

carbohydrates: 9 %

fiber: 23 %

sugar:

protein: 43 %

exchange other carbs:

vitamin a iu:

niacin equivalents:

vitamin b6:

vitamin c:

folate:

calcium:

iron:

magnesium:

thiamin:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

1 of 12

All Reviews

Baking Nana

07/23/2012

Pretty tasty but I have to say I did not use 1/4 Cup olive oil. Even though it is a good for you fat it still packs a punch in calories.

Helpful

(13)

Baking Nana

07/23/2012

Pretty tasty but I have to say I did not use 1/4 Cup olive oil. Even though it is a good for you fat it still packs a punch in calories.

Helpful

(13)

Sudie B

02/28/2014

This is a very fresh tasting sauce and the meatballs are good. Before adding the meatballs crush any whole tomatoes that have not broken down.

Helpful

(5)

Coach P

08/07/2015

Helpful

(4)

Gayle L Longley

07/01/2016

Made this for VBS we were leaning on trying to make healthier dinners for the children. This was a big hit! I mean BIG. they loved it. They had no idea that I served it with veggie spaghetti. thanks

Helpful

(1)

Glen Charles Pritchard

01/12/2016

Simply and delicious. Certainly a "go-to" recipe from now on.

Helpful

(1)

sophie

02/24/2016

fab recipe my 3 year old and her friends cleaned there plates! recommend highly x

Helpful

(1)

ZombieBunny

05/17/2015

Made this for my roommates and had rave reviews! The only thing I did differently was to add about 1/2 as much tomato paste as I prefer a thinner sauce.

BETHF71

06/27/2015

Nish

06/19/2019

love how simple and delicious this recipe is! i added just a bit of red chili powder to give it a kick... my hubby loves this and keeps asking for me to make it again!

Matthew Lie Ken Jie

12/19/2016

This recipe is terrible. The meat balls don't hold together in the sauce. After an hour and a half of cooking there is not any sauce left. I needed a lot of modification to make it possible