Calories in Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
The exact calorie content of spaghetti with meat sauce will depend on the type of pasta and the type of ground meat you use in your sauce, as well as your portion size.
The exact calorie content of spaghetti with meat sauce will depend on the type of pasta and the type of ground meat you use in your sauce, as well as your portion size. A plate of spaghetti with meat sauce doesn't have to contain huge amounts of calories, however, especially if you make it yourself using healthy ingredients.
Calorie Comparisons
Whether you're dishing up your own pasta or eating out, each cup of regular spaghetti contains 221 calories, while each cup of whole-wheat spaghetti has 174 calories. A 1/2-cup serving of marinara sauce typically provides 65 calories. Adding 3 ounces of 70-percent lean ground beef adds 230 calories, while choosing 90-percent lean ground beef adds 196 calories. Keep in mind that a serving of homemade meat sauce alone can contain as much as 486 calories, depending on the recipe you use. Using less cooking oil and replacing half of the meat with vegetables can bring the calorie count for both your meat sauce and a serving of whole-wheat spaghetti down to about 407 calories. Alternatively, you can opt for a frozen spaghetti with meat sauce entrée, which typically contains about 255 calories, to avoid consuming too many calories.