Healthy Spaghetti Sauce with Vegetables

Homemade healthy spaghetti sauce with vegetables and ground turkey or with no meat is here! Made in a Dutch Oven on the stove top from scratch is delicious. Make pasta separately and combine or make One Pot Spaghetti by cooking it right inside the sauce!

What vegetables go well in spaghetti?

Onions, carrots and celery are a must. If I have mushrooms those go in too! Many times I will make this with the leftovers from our Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf. I hate to waste food so it is nice to have a meal I know we love with what we enjoyed the night before. Just dice up precooked meat and it will take even less time to make!

You can use this as your base for Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs, which I do with the leftovers I tend to have next day too. Saves really well in the fridge in a sealed container if you don’t finish it all and has a ton of possibilities. Of course you can top with your favorite pasta noodles but it also thickens soups too.

What is the healthiest type of pasta sauce?

Tomato based sauces are heart healthy. Use fresh produce to add texture and nutrition. Cook on the stove, in slow cooker or make quick as Homemade Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce. Pesto made fresh is great for you too with healthy fats inside and packed with flavor.

Which is better for spaghetti sauce: ground beef or turkey?

Better flavor = 80/20 ground beef because some fat means more flavor. If you are looking for the healthiest option with lower fat then go with ground turkey or chicken. The latter just won’t give you the depth of flavor to your sauce.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Onion diced
• Minced garlic
• Carrots peeled and diced
• Celery diced
• Crushed tomatoes work better than diced for this
• Red wine or just use 1/2 cup more broth
• Chicken broth
• Tomato paste
• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Milk or heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste

For a lower carb option this is How to Make Spaghetti Squash Pasta, then add those for just 2-3 minutes bubbling until tender to your liking.

How to substitute fresh tomatoes in place of canned

Use about 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes to replace a 14.5-ounce can of tomatoes so in this case you would need 4 cups diced. This is about 10-12 medium tomatoes for this recipe. Roma or plum tomatoes are best. This may result in a thinner result but can be thickened with tomato paste.

How long to cook spaghetti sauce on stove?

You will need half an hour or so to deepen the flavors, longer is even better if you can over a low simmer. In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.

• Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the other side. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Then, add the crushed tomatoes, red wine (if using), chicken or vegetable broth, dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or pot.
• Let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
• Stir in the milk or cream to add a touch of richness to the healthy homemade spaghetti sauce sauce.

Simmer for an additional 5 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Or use to make something like our One Pot Lasagna.

Boiling Spaghetti Noodles in Spaghetti Sauce

If you wanted to add the noodles into the sauce itself I would submerge them 15 minutes before you want to serve it, that is it!! Cook Time for Spaghetti doesn’t change the timing much either way. I will say pasta cooked in sauce are so much better. If you choose to serve the Bolognese sauce over the noodles, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and grated Parmesan cheese to add flavor.

What can you add to homemade spaghetti sauce?

Ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey, or Italian sausage can be browned and added for a meaty sauce of course. We did this here. Sautéed onions, garlic, bell peppers, carrots, celery, mushrooms, or zucchini can add flavor and texture to the pasta sauce.

1. Basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, or parsley can enhance the sauce’s aroma and taste.
2. Red wine can add depth and complexity to the sauce. White wine works well for lighter dishes. There’s a bit of added sugar but most of it cooks off, and the alcohol too, so feel free to add a touch to your spaghetti meat sauce and try.
3. Tomato paste can intensify the tomato flavor and thicken the sauce.
4. Crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or tomato sauce can be used to adjust the thickness and texture.
5. Beef, chicken, or vegetable broth can add depth and umami to the sauce.
6. A pinch of sugar can balance acidity and enhance sweetness.
7. For a hint of spicy like our Sausage Spaghetti, add red pepper flakes or chili powder.
8. Anchovy fillets or anchovy paste can provide a savory, umami boost to the sauce.
9. Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar can add a sweet and tangy note to the sauce.
10. For a creamy tomato sauce, you can add heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk.
11. Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, or grated mozzarella cheese can add creaminess and flavor.
12. Sliced black or green olives can bring a briny and salty dimension to the sauce.
13. Capers can provide a tangy and slightly briny flavor.
14. Chopped fresh tomatoes, spinach, kale, or arugula can be added for freshness and nutrition.

Remember to taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings and ingredients to suit your preferences. Homemade spaghetti sauce is highly adaptable, so don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors until you find your perfect sauce.

How to freeze spaghetti sauce

Cool completely for at least 30 minutes. Use freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags to prevent freezer burn. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well. Mark with the date and freeze for 3-4 months. Then make one of our Leftover Spaghetti recipes.