Healthier Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs
Is there anything more classic than spaghetti and meatballs?
It was always good news when you would ask your mom what’s for dinner and she would respond, “Spaghetti and meatballs.” Yesssss! What’s not to love?
Well, maybe not all the prep time it takes to make meatballs from scratch…
But that’s what so great about this recipe. I make the tastiest and easiest “meatballs” by just rolling Italian sausage meat into little balls and browning them in the pan. In 5 minutes I can roll out and have 25 meatballs. Win!
And all those empty carbs and calories in spaghetti aren’t that great either…
I’ve solved that problem for you too. This skinny spaghetti and meatball recipe uses lean Italian sausage, much healthier than ground beef, along with adding in zucchini for extra nutrition and swapping in whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta. Each serving is only 410 calories, double win!
So you can eat a big plate of this spaghetti without worrying about your skinny jeans getting a little too snug. Just like in the good ole high school days. Heck, you can even listen to the new Britney Spears CD while you’re cooking it and it will really feel like high school all over again.
You girls bought and listened to Britney’s new CD the day it came out too, right? What am I saying, of course you did. You’re probably listening to it right now like me. Oh Britney, I will always love everything you put out.
Don’t forget to top it with some parmesan. Or a lot of parmesan. Always a lot of parmesan.
Healthier Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package of sweet Italian sausage
- 2 medium zucchini cut into 1/4" thick half moons, about 3 cups
- 1 large yellow onion chopped medium, about 2 cups
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped, about 1 teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 26 ounce jar of marinara sauce, Trader Joe's Tomato Basil Marinara is my favorite
- 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
- salt and pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot filled with water and a huge pinch of salt to boil over high heat, and heat a large flat bottom skillet with 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium high heat.
- 2. While the pan is heating up, remove the sausages from their casings. Cut each sausage link into 5 pieces and roll them into balls. Add the sausages to the heated skillet, cooking until they're browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- 3. The water should be boiling at this point. Cook the pound of whole wheat pasta according to package instructions.
- 4. Add the zucchini and onion to the skillet, salt and pepper, and cook with the meatballs until the onions become translucent and the meatballs are cooked through, another 5 minutes.
- 5. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 6. Pour in the marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking until the pasta is cooked through.
- 7. Drain the pasta and toss with the meatball and vegetable marinara sauce. Serve immediately.
- 8. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge.
30 Comments on “Healthier Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs”
This meatball hack is genius!
Right?! Thank you!
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Hello mates, fastidious post and fastidious arguments commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
You make want to eat spaghetti and I’m not even a spaghetti fan. Brilliant beautiful photos!
Haha, thanks Melanie! This could make you a *huge* spaghetti fan like me : )
Omg, love this recipe and your pictures! Makes me want this for dinner tonight but I’m missing sausage. :( Definitely need to try this. Pinning to make! Need all the healthy meals I can get to help counteract all those holiday cookies!
Thanks Tina! Oh my, I have been baking way too much too! Should probably switch to more salads, but I’d rather eat pasta. Ha!
Natalie, your pictures are gorgeous! They make me want to dive through the screen and take a bite (or two). This spaghetti would make a great weekend dish. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ashley! You’re so sweet. Too bad “Wonkavision” from Willy Wonka isn’t real yet, then we could just reach in to our computers and eat all the yummy food. Haha!
Comfort food at its best!
Thanks Sarah! Winter is the best time for comfort food.
This needs to be our dinner table over the weekend! I love a big plate full of spaghetti and meatballs!
Thanks Pamela! I have such a weakness for pasta, I could eat carbs everyday : )
Yum, that looks fantastic! I can go for a big bowl of yummy goodness. Lovely post…
Thanks for your comment Anne! It is definitely a yummy bowl of goodness : )
Love how easy this is, Natalie! Great idea for when I am craving pasta, but want a healthy meal. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks Rachel, let’s eat all the carbs! That’s what winter is for, right? *wink*
Well now… this just looks divine!!!! I need soon.
Thanks Ashley! It’s so good. Actually wishing I had some of the leftovers right now too : )
YUM! Sounds great for a chilly night! And that first photo is a stunner!
Thanks Kelly! Definitely warms you up : )
And by mom I meant mmmmm! Stupid autocorrect :)
Haha! This just made me laugh out loud! I can be your mom Taylor, and I’ll make you lots and lots of spaghetti : ) Just kidding! Auto correct is the best & worst at the same time.
But seriously, thanks for the comment!
Mom I love a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs ! I’m drooling over your healthier version!
the last picture is making me want some spaghetti reaaaaal bad.
I’ll mail you our leftovers Kimmy! They should get to Indiana next week. Hopefully they’ll still taste pretty good…ha! Just kidding : )
Great idea to add zucchini especially since I’m always looking for ways to add more vegetables to my daughters diet. I love the use of sausage instead of ground beef, I feel that the meatballs might be a lot juicier. :)
Thanks Kathy! Always looking for ways to get more veggies in. And the sausage is SO good! You’re daughter would love this : )