Pasta with tomato-based sauce, cheese and meat
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a hearty, comforting dish where al dente pasta is coated in a savory, tangy tomato sauce, enriched with melted cheese and savory meat. The texture is a satisfying contrast between the firm pasta, the smooth sauce, and the chewy or crumbly meat. Nutritionally, it provides a balanced mix of protein and carbohydrates for energy, with fat contributing to satiety.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its deeply satisfying umami flavor profile—the tang of tomatoes, the savoriness of meat, and the rich, salty pull of melted cheese. It's a globally recognized comfort food that's endlessly adaptable to different meats, cheeses, and pasta shapes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish can be high in sodium and saturated fat, and the refined carbohydrates may cause blood-sugar spikes for some. To counteract, choose whole-grain pasta for more fiber, load the sauce with extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers, and opt for leaner meats like turkey or chicken.
Key benefits
- Good source of protein for muscle maintenance
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains lycopene from cooked tomatoes
- Offers calcium from cheese for bone health
- A versatile base for adding vegetables
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic pairing of tomatoes and pasta in Italy is relatively modern; tomatoes were introduced from the Americas in the 16th century and were initially viewed with suspicion before becoming central to the cuisine.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 70.5 g |
| Energy | 147 kcal |
| Protein | 7.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 13.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 61.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 15.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 96.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 184 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 325 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 23.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 11.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 32.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 41.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.49 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 45.0 ug |
| Retinol | 40.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 61.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 3177 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 55.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.86 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.2 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.59 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.15 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.85 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 62.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is this dish high in protein?
Yes, the combination of meat and cheese provides a substantial amount of protein, making it a satisfying meal that supports muscle health.
Can I make it healthier?
Absolutely. Use whole-wheat or legume-based pasta, increase the vegetable content in the sauce, choose lean ground meat or plant-based crumbles, and moderate the amount of cheese.
Why is it considered comfort food?
Its warm temperature, rich flavors, and hearty texture trigger a sense of satisfaction and nostalgia. The combination of carbohydrates and fats can also promote the release of feel-good neurotransmitters.