Spaghetti sauce with meat
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A rich, savory tomato-based sauce simmered with ground meat, delivering a hearty, umami-packed flavor with a slightly chunky texture. It's a nutritional powerhouse of protein and lycopene, offering a satisfying balance of savory depth and subtle sweetness from the tomatoes.
Calorie split: 27% protein · 29% carbs · 44% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its comforting, deeply savory flavor that forms the backbone of countless beloved pasta dishes. Its versatility makes it a go-to for quick weeknight meals, from topping spaghetti to filling lasagna or baked potatoes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some commercial versions can be high in sodium and added sugars, which may concern those monitoring blood pressure or blood sugar. To counteract this, look for low-sodium varieties, rinse canned tomatoes, or balance a portion with a large side of non-starchy vegetables like a green salad or roasted broccoli.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein source from the meat component
- Rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant from cooked tomatoes
- Contains iron and B vitamins from the meat
- Good source of dietary fiber from tomatoes and meat
- Versatile base for numerous dishes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Italian 'ragù alla bolognese' is traditionally much meatier and less tomato-heavy than the globalized 'spaghetti sauce' version, often using a splash of milk or cream to tenderize the meat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 81.6 g |
| Energy | 90.0 kcal |
| Protein | 5.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 6.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 26.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 64.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 316 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 412 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 5.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.21 mg |
| Folate, total | 12.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 12.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 26.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.51 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 27.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 317 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 10319 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 154 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.3 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 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.76 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.41 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.50 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.42 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 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 | 18.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from OLIVE GARDEN, spaghetti with meat sauce — USDA does not publish this profile for Spaghetti sauce with meat.
| Tryptophan | 0.06 g |
| Threonine | 0.20 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.21 g |
| Leucine | 0.40 g |
| Lysine | 0.23 g |
| Methionine | 0.12 g |
| Cystine | 0.10 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.29 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.24 g |
| Arginine | 0.29 g |
| Histidine | 0.15 g |
| Alanine | 0.26 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.7 g |
| Glycine | 0.24 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.27 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is spaghetti sauce with meat healthy?
It can be a nutritious part of a balanced diet, providing protein, lycopene, and other nutrients. The healthiness largely depends on the recipe—homemade versions allow control over salt, sugar, and fat, while some store-bought sauces may be high in sodium and added sugars.
Can I freeze spaghetti sauce with meat?
Yes, it freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What's the difference between spaghetti sauce and meat sauce?
'Spaghetti sauce' is a broad term for any sauce served with spaghetti, which can be marinara (meatless). 'Meat sauce' specifically indicates the inclusion of ground meat, like beef, pork, or turkey, making it a heartier, protein-rich variant.
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 0.90 kcal/g · 26% calories from protein · 1.5 g fiber · 4.5 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: 1.30 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.