Pasta with Creamy Tomato Basil Meat Sauce

Portion Size: 1 cup 

Ingredients: Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients Notes: 
2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 
1 large chopped onion Wash, peel and slice
1 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups canned low sodium tomato sauce
2 ( 8oz.) light cream cheese. 
1 tablespoon basil 
1 teaspoon oregano
1 pound  pasta May use whole grain 
Grated Parmesan cheese 
For gluten free (GF): Use GF pasta. Always check each ingredient to be sure it is gluten free.

Directions:

Steps:Directions: Critical Control Point / Quality Assurance
1Prepare pasta according to directions on the package.
2Sauté ground beef and onion in a medium size sauce pan.
3Drain grease.
4Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and tomatoes.
5Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and heat until heated through. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 F degrees for 15 seconds
6Serve the pasta on a hot platter.
7First a layer of pasta, then a layer of sauce.
8Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. 

Jacqueline Larson M.S., R.D.N. and Associates