Beef Marinara with Sweet Potato Noodles and Mixed Green Salad
A hearty one-pan meal featuring seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with herbs, served over spiralized sweet potato noodles. The sweet potato noodles cook directly in the marinara sauce, absorbing the flavors while maintaining a tender-crisp texture. Accompanied by a fresh mixed green salad with red bell peppers tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this dish offers a satisfying balance of savory meat sauce and crisp vegetables. Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something filling yet wholesome.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef, ground and lean
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, green, diced
- 1 tsp thyme, fresh leaves
- 1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and spiralized
- 1 ½ Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 can crushed tomatoes, 14 oz
- 1 tsp basil, dried
- 1 tsp oregano, dried
- 1 bell pepper, red, sliced
- 1 ½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 2 ½ Tbsp cooking oil
- 5 oz mixed greensspinach1:1leafy-green
Fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- 1
Heat Dutch oven over medium-high heat
- 2
Add cooking oil then garlic, onions, and green peppers with sprinkle of salt
- 3
Saute until softened
- 4
Fold in ground beef, breaking up with wooden spoon
- 5
Brown beef
- 6
Add tomato paste and honey and saute
- 7
Pour in crushed tomatoes, fresh thyme, basil, and oregano
- 8
Stir and simmer
- 9
Add sweet potato noodles in last 5 to 6 minutes
- 10
Simmer noodles directly in sauce until tender but still crunchy
- 11
Make vinaigrette by whisking together vinegar, mustard, syrup, and oil
- 12
Toss vinaigrette with red peppers and greens
- 13
Taste and season meat sauce with more salt, pepper, spices, or tomato paste
- 14
Divide noodles and sauce onto plates
- 15
Serve with salad on the side
Tips
Cook sweet potato noodles directly in the sauce for the last 5-6 minutes to absorb flavors while maintaining texture
Make the vinaigrette while the marinara simmers to save time
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end - add more salt, pepper, or tomato paste as needed
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in covered container
Marinara sauce can be made 1 day ahead and reheated
Serve hot immediately after cooking noodles
Common Mistakes
Don't overcook sweet potato noodles to avoid mushy texture
Don't skip tasting and adjusting seasoning at the end
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use regular pasta instead of sweet potato noodles?
Yes, cook 8 oz pasta separately according to package directions and serve with the marinara sauce on top.
How long do leftovers keep?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the sweet potato noodles.
Can I make this ahead of time?
The marinara sauce can be made a day ahead, but cook the sweet potato noodles fresh for best texture.