Really Hearty, Healthy, Easy Spaghetti Sauce
I get bored pretty easily with spaghetti sauce, so here’s a way to dress it up a bit. It’s really quick, cheap, healthy, and easy! Don’t worry about olives…they may have a lot of salt, but they also have prebiotics, which help feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. They provide good flavor and health benefits, when used in moderation.
We eat a lot of whole grain pasta in our house…usually brown rice or quinoa! I’m very thankful that Trader Joe’s has brown rice and brown rice/quinoa noodles that are very affordable! Quinoa is high in protein, so I prefer noodles that have some in them. Here’s
Did you know that they recently changed the Glycemic number of pasta? They made it lower, because if you cook it al dente (a little undercooked) it takes longer for your body to process the carbs. That’s good news if you have diabetes! Honestly, it’s good news if you don’t have diabetes…everyone should be watching their sugar! I also like how slightly undercooked pasta tastes.
Before we get to the recipe for the hearty, healthy, easy spaghetti sauce, I want to invite you to join with others who are making healthy changes. I’d love to walk alongside you in your journey towards wholeness and health! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!” Freedom from food addictions is part of having a truly full life.
Here’s the recipe:
- 1 Jar Marinara Sauce
(see note)
- 3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup Sliced Black Olives, with Juice
- 1 Package Ground Turkey Meat
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Organic Cumin
- 1/2 Tsp Organic Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Anise Seed
- Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste
Cook the turkey meat in a large sauce pan over medium heat. While it’s cooking stir in the herbs, paprika, cumin, garlic, anise seed, salt, and pepper. When the meat has no more pink spots add the balsamic vinegar and let it reduce for a couple minutes (this concentrates the flavor). Add the sauce and olives. Stir until it is cooked through, then let it simmer until you are ready to serve it. Serve over whole grain noodles, red potatoes, or whole grains.
NOTE: When you choose your spaghetti sauce try to find one that is low in sugar. For some reason the manufacturers think they need to add sugar! I’ve found that marinara sauce is usually a good fit for our family. Also read the label and make sure that all of the ingredients are actual food, not chemicals or MSG. (Click on MSG to learn how to spot it…it goes by many names!) My favorite sauce is Trader Joe’s Marinara. It’s inexpensive, tasty, and healthy.
