How much Protein in Spaghetti and Meatballs

Pasta with meatballs is a classic comfort food, and it can actually be a nutritious choice. Whole-wheat pasta, for example, supplies a healthy amount of dietary fiber, and the tomato sauce provides vitamin C. A plate of pasta with meatballs is also a good way to add protein to your diet. Proteins make up every one of your body parts, so it's a crucial nutrient to include in your daily diet.

Protein in Meatballs

Meat is the primary source of protein in a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. The type of meat you use influences how much protein the dish contains, however. A portion of meatballs made with 3 ounces of ground beef contains 15.8 grams of protein, which is 34 percent of the 46 grams women need daily and 28 percent of the 56 grams men should aim for each day. If you swap the ground beef for a 3-ounce portion of ground-turkey meatballs, you'll get 14.4 grams of protein.

Cheese Supplies Protein, Too

A sprinkle of cheese on top of your spaghetti and meatballs adds calcium and phosphorus, two nutrients essential for strong bones and teeth. You'll also get a good dose of protein. A 1-ounce sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, for example, supplies about 6.9 grams of protein, or 15 percent of what women need each day and 12 percent of what men should have each day. Other types of cheese, such as Parmesan, Asiago or provolone, also supply protein.

What About the Pasta and Sauce?

A 1-cup serving of whole-wheat pasta supplies about 7.5 grams of protein, which isn't bad considering that it's more than you get from the cheese. If you're looking for ways to boost your protein intake, look for pasta that's been fortified with protein. These are available at most large supermarkets and health food stores. Tomato-based spaghetti sauce delivers slightly less than 2 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving.

Putting It All Together

A plate of spaghetti and meatballs made with 1 cup of whole-wheat spaghetti noodles, a 3-ounce portion of ground-beef meatballs, 1/2 cup of sauce and an ounce of mozzarella cheese delivers about 32 grams of protein. That translates to 70 percent of what women need to include in their daily diets and 57 percent of what men should have each day. Punch up the nutritional value of your spaghetti and meatballs even more by adding shredded vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach or zucchini, to the sauce. Not only will these add a small amount of additional protein, but they'll also add fiber, vitamin C and potassium to your meal.

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Giant

Main info:

Spaghetti & Meatballs
Giant
1 cup
310.0 Calories
25.1 g
17.1 g
13.1 g

2.0 g
35.0 mg
4.5 g
690.0 mg
0 g
0 g

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Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of (g)
How many calories are in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of calories in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Calories Calories from Fat (%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of fat in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Total Fat
How much saturated fat is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of saturated fat in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Saturated fat
How much cholesterol is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of cholesterol in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Cholesterol
How much sodium is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of sodium in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Sodium
How many carbs are in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of carbs in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Carbohydrates
How many net carbs are in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of net carbs in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Net carbs
How much fiber is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of fiber in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Fiber
How much glucose is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of glucose in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Glucose
How much protein is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of protein in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Protein
Vitamins and minerals
How much Vitamin A is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of Vitamin A in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Vitamin A
How much Vitamin C is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of Vitamin C in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Vitamin C
How much Calcium is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of Calcium in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Calcium
How much Iron is in Spaghetti & Meatballs? Amount of Iron in Spaghetti & Meatballs: Iron
Fatty acids
Amino acids
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs.

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How much Protein in Spaghetti and Meatballs

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How much Protein in Spaghetti and Meatballs

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How much protein is in a plate of spaghetti and meatballs?

A plate of spaghetti and meatballs made with 1 cup of whole-wheat spaghetti noodles, a 3-ounce portion of ground-beef meatballs, 1/2 cup of sauce and an ounce of mozzarella cheese delivers about 32 grams of protein.

Is spaghetti and meatballs a good source of protein?

Spaghetti and Meatballs Thanks to the iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomato sauce and energy-producing carbs from the pasta, this dish a healthy trifecta. If you stick to modest portions and lean beef, you can enjoy its benefits without overdoing it.

Are meatballs high in protein?

Meatballs are not all bad. Meatballs typically contain a high proportion of beef, and beef is a rich source of high-quality protein containing all of the essential amino acids, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Is spaghetti high in protein?

Spaghetti has 8 grams of protein in a 1 cup serving, which is 16% of the recommended daily protein intake for adults. 3 Some brands make a noodle that is slightly higher in protein, with 10 grams of protein in a 2 ounce serving.