Heart-Healthy Tomato Meat Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this *Heart-Healthy Tomato Meat Sauce*, a flavorful and wholesome twist on a classic favorite. Made with lean ground turkey, an array of fresh vegetables, and no-salt-added tomatoes, this recipe is perfect for those looking to enjoy comfort food without compromising on nutrition. Sautéed onions, garlic, carrots, and celery build a robust base for the sauce, while dried oregano, basil, and a hint of red pepper flakes add warmth and depth. Simmered to perfection, this low-sodium sauce pairs beautifully with whole-grain pasta, spaghetti squash, or zoodles for a guilt-free, satisfying meal. Ready in under an hour, it’s a simple and delicious way to prioritize heart health without sacrificing taste.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean or higher)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
• 1 stalk celery stalk, finely diced
• 28 ounces no-salt-added diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium tomato paste
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
• 0 to taste ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large nonstick skillet or pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 2

Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey. Cook, stirring frequently, until the turkey is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Break it apart into small pieces as it cooks.

Step 3

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside. Leave any rendered juices in the skillet.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the low-sodium tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to enhance its flavor.

Step 6

Add the no-salt-added diced tomatoes, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Return the cooked turkey to the skillet, mixing it into the sauce.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the skillet with a lid, and let the sauce simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and add ground black pepper as desired. If necessary, adjust consistency with a little more broth.

Step 10

Serve the sauce over whole-grain pasta, spaghetti squash, or zoodles for a heart-healthy meal, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1970.3 grams (1970.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1371

Total Fat 67.10g	86%
Saturated Fat 15.90g	80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 318mg	106%
Sodium 764mg	33%
Total Carbohydrate 71.40g	26%
Dietary Fiber 20.10g	72%
Total Sugars 40.20g
Protein 113.60g	227%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 419mg	32%
Iron 12mg	67%
Potassium 3837mg	82%

*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: 44.9%

Protein: 33.8%

Carbs: 21.3%