Spaghetti and meatballs dinner, NFS, frozen meal
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic frozen meal of spaghetti pasta topped with seasoned ground meatballs in a tomato-based sauce. The texture is typically soft pasta with tender, sometimes slightly dense meatballs, and a savory, slightly sweet tomato flavor. For a frozen meal, it offers a moderate 113 kcal per 100g with a decent protein-to-carb ratio.
Calorie split: 20% protein · 53% carbs · 27% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the comforting, familiar combination of savory meatballs, tangy tomato sauce, and soft pasta. It's a versatile base that can be easily customized with extra cheese, herbs, or vegetables.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Frozen versions can be high in sodium and may contain added sugars in the sauce, which could be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or sugar intake. The pasta is typically refined, offering less fiber than whole-grain alternatives. To counteract, pair with a side salad or steamed vegetables to boost fiber and nutrients, and be mindful of portion size.
Key benefits
- Provides a convenient, single-serving source of protein and carbohydrates.
- Offers a quick, hot meal option requiring minimal preparation.
- Contains some dietary fiber from the tomato sauce and pasta.
- A familiar comfort food that can satisfy cravings efficiently.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The combination of spaghetti and meatballs as a single dish is largely an Italian-American creation; in Italy, meatballs (polpette) are typically served as a separate main course, not atop pasta.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.7 g |
| Energy | 113 kcal |
| Protein | 5.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 23.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.93 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 65.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 179 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 295 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.93 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 11.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 6.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 36.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 23.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 52.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.28 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 40.0 ug |
| Retinol | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 305 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 57.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 1150 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 198 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.42 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 6.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.51 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.41 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.55 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.49 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 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 | 9.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Restaurant, family style, spaghetti and meatballs — USDA does not publish this profile for Spaghetti and meatballs dinner.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.33 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.37 g |
| Leucine | 0.71 g |
| Lysine | 0.56 g |
| Methionine | 0.19 g |
| Cystine | 0.14 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.40 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.25 g |
| Valine | 0.45 g |
| Arginine | 0.50 g |
| Histidine | 0.27 g |
| Alanine | 0.44 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.69 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.46 g |
| Proline | 0.79 g |
| Serine | 0.39 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.06 g |
FAQ
Is this a good source of protein?
Yes, it provides a moderate amount of protein (5.58g per 100g) primarily from the meatballs, making it a reasonable component of a protein-rich meal.
How does the nutrition compare to homemade spaghetti and meatballs?
Frozen meals often have higher sodium and may have less meat and more fillers than a homemade version, but they offer consistent convenience and portion control.
Can I improve the nutritional value of this frozen meal?
Absolutely. Stir in a handful of frozen spinach or diced bell peppers while heating to add vitamins and fiber. Serve with a side of roasted broccoli or a green salad to make it a more balanced plate.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.13 kcal/g · 20% calories from protein · 1.5 g fiber · 2.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.65 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.