Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

Family-favorite spaghetti and meatballs gets a healthier makeover with carrots in the sauce and whole wheat bread crumbs and fresh parsley in the meatballs.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 374 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Discard bay leaf before serving.

Step 4

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).