Who doesn’t love spaghetti! If you don’t love slurping the noodles, you’ve got to love the meatballs…and the cheese. Talk about comfort food. Mmmmm.
It’s a good thing you can replace the white noodles, sugar-laden sauce, and high-fat meatballs with healthier options. And still get that great spaghetti and meatball taste.
First, pick whole grain pasta (my family loves 100% whole wheat Rotini). Check the label to make sure it is actually made from whole grain, not just wheat. Check the fiber content too.
Then choose a light sauce, no more than 50 calories per 1/2 cup. Or you can make your own sauce with tomato juice, spices, and a little cornstarch as a thickener. You can add onion, peppers and mushrooms too.
For meatballs, get a pound of lean ground turkey or chicken (no more than 140 calories for 4 ounces). Form the meat into 1-inch meatballs with a dash of salt, pepper and garlic. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Last, look for Italian blend cheese with approximately 80 calories per serving.
To make your plate start with 1/2 cup cooked whole grain pasta, then layer with 1/2 cup sauce, 4 meatballs, and 1/3 cup cheese. Enjoy with a side salad and you’ve got a great, healthy meal.
PS – a simple vinaigrette for your salad is 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar, and a dash of salt, pepper, and oregano.
