Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 envelope(s) whole-wheat spaghetti
• 2 bar(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk(s) celery, finely chopped
• 4 clove(s) garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon(s) Italian seasoning
• 1 pound(s) lean (90% or leaner) ground beef
• 1 can(s) (28-ounce) crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup(s) chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/2 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is beginning to brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase heat to high. Stir in tomatoes and cook until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in parsley and salt.
4. Serve the sauce over the pasta, sprinkled with cheese.
   
   Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 1/2 vegetable, 2 lean meat Carbohydrate Servings: 3 Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (49% daily value), Zinc (34% dv), Iron (26% dv), Vitamin C (23% dv), Magnesium (21% dv), Potassium (19% dv).