Counting Calories in Homemade Meat Sauce Pasta

When it comes to meal planning and calorie counting, pasta dishes can be a bit tricky. However, with the right ingredients and portion control, you can enjoy a delicious homemade meat sauce pasta while keeping an eye on your calorie intake.

One of the key factors in controlling the calories in your pasta dish is the sauce. Many store-bought pasta sauces can be high in sugar, sodium, and preservatives, so making your own sauce at home is a great way to ensure that you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

Here’s a simple and delicious homemade meat sauce recipe that is perfect for pasta, along with the calorie breakdown for each serving:

Homemade Meat Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:
– 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
– 1 14-ounce can of tomato sauce
– 1 tablespoon tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened.
2. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more salt and pepper if needed.

Calorie breakdown:
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings. Each serving of the meat sauce (without pasta) contains about 200 calories, depending on the lean the beef used. You can adjust the portion size according to your calorie needs.

When serving the meat sauce with pasta, keep in mind that the type of pasta and portion size will also affect the overall calorie count. Opt for whole grain pasta for added fiber and nutrients, and measure out a reasonable portion to accompany the sauce.

By making your own meat sauce at home and being mindful of portion sizes, you can create a delicious and satisfying pasta dish while keeping your calorie intake in check. Enjoy your homemade meat sauce pasta and feel good about what you’re putting into your body!