Turkey and Beef Meatballs with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

This dish offers a balanced, high-protein meal by combining lean turkey and beef with fiber-rich whole-wheat pasta.

Ingredients

Calories next to each ingredient are for that ingredient across the whole recipe (8 servings), not per serving.

• 8 oz dry whole-wheat spaghetti · 1006 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 cups chunky tomato sauce · 198 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped · 1 kcal in the whole recipe
• 4 tsp grated parmesan cheese (for serving) · 64 kcal in the whole recipe
• 6 oz 99% lean ground turkey · 328 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs (for turkey meatballs) · 157 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tbsp fat-free evaporated milk (for turkey meatballs) · 30 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (for turkey meatballs) · 48 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (for turkey meatballs) · 0 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for turkey meatballs) · 1 kcal in the whole recipe
• 6 oz 93% lean ground beef · 325 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs (for beef meatballs) · 157 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tbsp fat-free evaporated milk (for beef meatballs) · 30 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (for beef meatballs) · 48 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (for beef meatballs) · 0 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for beef meatballs) · 1 kcal in the whole recipe

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the whole-wheat spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain.

   

2. In two separate bowls, mix the ingredients for the turkey meatballs and beef meatballs. Roll each mixture into 8 meatballs (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place them on a nonstick baking sheet.

   

3. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

   

4. While the meatballs are baking, gently warm the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.

   

5. Divide the hot pasta, warm tomato sauce, and meatballs (one turkey and one beef meatball per serving) among plates. Garnish with grated parmesan and fresh basil before serving.

   

Adapted from an NIH / NHLBI heart-healthy recipe (public domain). Portions, macros, diet checks and step photos by Besly.