Healthier Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

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.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 374 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

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.

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.