Low Fat Spaghetti and Meatballs

Written by
Fiona Haynes
Freelance writer and copy editor Fiona Haynes has published more than 100 published recipes focused on low-fat and healthy eating.
Learn about our editorial process
Fiona Haynes
Published on 04/05/19 by Fiona Haynes
Freelance writer and copy editor Fiona Haynes has published more than 100 published recipes focused on low-fat and healthy eating.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 04/05/19

Low fat spaghetti and meatballs
RF Pictures / Getty Images
  • Total: 55 mins
  • Prep: 25 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
579 Calories
13g Fat
76g Carbs
39g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: Serves 4
Amount per serving
Calories 579
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 857mg 37%
Total Carbohydrate 76g 28%
Dietary Fiber 7g 25%
Protein 39g
Calcium 170mg 13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Spaghetti and Meatballs are something the whole family can enjoy. Here, make lower fat meatballs by using extra-lean ground beef and adding tomato sauce and chopped onion to keep them moist. The meatballs are baked, not fried, and then simmered in a low-fat marinara sauce. You won't miss the excess fat in this low-fat spaghetti and meatballs dish.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (about 1 slice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup canned no-salt-added tomato sauce
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups low-fat, low sodium marinara sauce (such as Amy’s or Trader Joe’s)
  • 8 ounces spaghetti or angel hair pasta

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F, and spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. Crumble ground beef into a large mixing bowl. Add breadcrumbs, oregano, onion, tomato sauce, garlic, and parsley.​

  3. Combine ingredients thoroughly, either with fingers or with a fork.

  4. Roll meatball mixture into 1-inch balls and place on cookie sheet.

  5. You should have about 20 meatballs.

  6. Bake in the oven for 16 to 18 minutes, turning once in the middle of cooking.

  7. Cook spaghetti in a large pot according to package directions, without added salt or oil.

  8. In a large pan, heat marinara sauce; add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer until the pasta is ready.

Per Serving: Calories 404, Calories from Fat 60, Total Fat 6.9g (sat 2.4g), Cholesterol 52mg, Sodium 242mg, Carbohydrate 58.4g, Fiber 3.4g, Protein 27.7g