Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs

×

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs

This Simple Cooking with Heart Italian recipe for Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs is an upgrade from the classic -- it has more fiber and vegetables, less saturated fat and sodium but it sure delivers on taste!

Ingredients

Servings  6  

Marinara Sauce

  • 14 oz. canned, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium, sliced carrots
  • 14.4 oz. packaged, frozen pepper stir-fry (onions and peppers) (thawed)
  • 1 medium zucchini (chopped)
  • 4 clove fresh garlic (minced) OR
  • 2 tsp. jarred, minced garlic
  • 52 oz. cubed, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium tomato (crushed)
  • 2 tsp. salt-free, dried Italian spice blend

Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

  • 1 lb. extra-lean or fat-free ground turkey breast (95%-99% lean)
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 cup whole-grain cereal flakes (crushed, optional)
  • 1 lb. whole-wheat spaghetti

Directions

Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.

Marinara Sauce

  1. In a large pot (not over any heat yet), add carrots. Use a fork or potato masher to mash. Add stir-fry vegetables, zucchini, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and spice blend.
  2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low so sauce is simmering.

Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

  1. In a bowl, combine turkey, pepper, cereal and parsley. Form meat mixture into golf-size meatballs to make about 20 to 25 meatballs.
  2. Add meatballs into the simmering sauce, trying to get the majority of meatballs covered by sauce. Cover and cook until meatballs are cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Make spaghetti according to package directions (omitting the salt and fat). Serve with marinara and meatballs.

Cooking Tip: There are several kid-friendly kid steps in this recipe. Kids can help mash the carrots, crush the cereal in a sealed plastic bag, and use clean hands to form the meatballs.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to compare sodium levels in several brands of canned vegetables and choose the product with the least amount of sodium you can find in your store.

Tip: Products simply labeled “ground turkey” will likely also include the skin, which elevates fat and calorie levels greatly. Make sure to purchase “ground turkey breast” which includes only the lean breast meat.

Nutrition Facts

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs
CaloriesCalories
489 Per Serving
ProteinProtein
36g Per Serving
FiberFiber
16g Per Serving
Cost Per ServingCost Per Serving
$3.09

Nutrition Facts

Calories 489
Total Fat 2.5 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 30 mg
Sodium 157 mg
Total Carbohydrate 87 g
Dietary Fiber 16 g
Sugars 17 g
Protein 36 g
 
This Simple Cooking with Heart Italian recipe for Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs is an upgrade from the classic -- it has more fiber and vegetables, less saturated fat and sodium but it sure delivers on taste!

Nutrition Facts

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs
CaloriesCalories
489 Per Serving
ProteinProtein
36g Per Serving
FiberFiber
16g Per Serving
Cost Per ServingCost Per Serving
$3.09
×
Calories 489
Total Fat 2.5 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 30 mg
Sodium 157 mg
Total Carbohydrate 87 g
Dietary Fiber 16 g
Sugars 17 g
Protein 36 g

Ingredients

Servings  6  

Marinara Sauce

  • 14 oz. canned, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium, sliced carrots
  • 14.4 oz. packaged, frozen pepper stir-fry (onions and peppers) (thawed)
  • 1 medium zucchini (chopped)
  • 4 clove fresh garlic (minced) OR
  • 2 tsp. jarred, minced garlic
  • 52 oz. cubed, no-salt-added, or, low-sodium tomato (crushed)
  • 2 tsp. salt-free, dried Italian spice blend

Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

  • 1 lb. extra-lean or fat-free ground turkey breast (95%-99% lean)
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 cup whole-grain cereal flakes (crushed, optional)
  • 1 lb. whole-wheat spaghetti

Directions

Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.

Marinara Sauce

  1. In a large pot (not over any heat yet), add carrots. Use a fork or potato masher to mash. Add stir-fry vegetables, zucchini, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and spice blend.
  2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low so sauce is simmering.

Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

  1. In a bowl, combine turkey, pepper, cereal and parsley. Form meat mixture into golf-size meatballs to make about 20 to 25 meatballs.
  2. Add meatballs into the simmering sauce, trying to get the majority of meatballs covered by sauce. Cover and cook until meatballs are cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Make spaghetti according to package directions (omitting the salt and fat). Serve with marinara and meatballs.

Cooking Tip: There are several kid-friendly kid steps in this recipe. Kids can help mash the carrots, crush the cereal in a sealed plastic bag, and use clean hands to form the meatballs.

Keep it Healthy: Make sure to compare sodium levels in several brands of canned vegetables and choose the product with the least amount of sodium you can find in your store.

Tip: Products simply labeled “ground turkey” will likely also include the skin, which elevates fat and calorie levels greatly. Make sure to purchase “ground turkey breast” which includes only the lean breast meat.

 

American Heart Association recipes are developed or reviewed by nutrition experts and meet specific, science-based dietary guidelines and recipe criteria for a healthy dietary pattern.

Some recipes may be suitable for people who are managing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and/or other conditions or seeking low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar, low-cholesterol or low-calories recipes. However, this site and its services do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific dietary needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care provider.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Association, Inc. (AHA), except for recipes certified by the Heart-Check recipe certification program or otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, to link to or share AHA-own recipes provided that no text, ingredients or directions are altered; no substitutions are made; and proper attribution is made to the American Heart Association. See full terms of use.