Heart-Healthy Hearty Beef Pasta

Satisfy your pasta cravings without compromising your health with this Heart-Healthy Hearty Beef Pasta—a wholesome twist on a classic comfort food. Made with fiber-rich whole-grain pasta and extra-lean ground beef, this dish is enhanced with nutrient-packed veggies like red bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a vibrant, nutrient-dense meal. The flavorful sauce, simmered with no-salt-added diced tomatoes, low-sodium beef broth, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, ensures bold taste while keeping sodium in check. Ready in under an hour, this hearty yet wholesome pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners, offering balanced nutrition and rich Italian-inspired flavors. Serve it with a light dusting of parmesan cheese for an optional finishing touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz whole-grain pasta
• 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced
• 28 oz canned diced tomatoes (no added salt)
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook whole-grain pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add minced garlic and continue to cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase heat to medium-high and add extra-lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 5

Stir in the chopped red bell pepper and sliced zucchini. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 6

Add the canned diced tomatoes and low-sodium beef broth to the skillet. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 8

Add fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 9

Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2497.4 grams (2497.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1942

Total Fat 73.90g	95%
Saturated Fat 27.50g	138%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 388mg	129%
Sodium 1559mg	68%
Total Carbohydrate 164.90g	60%
Dietary Fiber 32.80g	117%
Total Sugars 42.60g
Protein 167.20g	334%

Vitamin D 32IU	159%
Calcium 1109mg	85%
Iron 25mg	137%
Potassium 4286mg	91%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.4%

Protein: 33.5%

Carbs: 33.1%