Turkey Bolognese Recipe
A lighter take on a classic, this Turkey Bolognese Recipe is packed with vegetables and flavor! This is a comfort food made healthier!
Servings 6
Calories 152kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup onion 1 medium onion finely diced
- 1 cup carrots about 3 medium carrots peeled and finely diced
- 1 cup celery 3 stalks, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup half and half can use whole milk
For serving
- 1 lb spaghetti
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ¼ cup fresh basil cut into ribbons (aka chiffonade)
Instructions
Get prepped
- Peel and dice 1 cup onion, 1 cup carrots and 1 cup celery.
Cook the vegetables
- Heat the 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven, and add the onion, carrots and celery.
- Cook until the vegetables soften, then add the 3 cloves garlic.
- Cook for a minute longer, then season with 1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning.
Add the remaining ingredients
- Add the 1 lb ground turkey and cook stirring until it begins to brown.
- Add 15 ounces crushed tomatoes, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste and ½ cup half and half.
Simmer
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes
- Test for seasoning and add more salt/pepper if desired.
Cook the pasta
- While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add salt. Cook your choice of pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta save a little of the water.
- Add the pasta to the Turkey Bolognese and toss to combine. If too dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water.
Serve
- Serve in bowls with ¼ cup parmesan cheese and ¼ cup fresh basil
Notes
Nutrition info doesn't include the pasta or parmesan, since those are optional and we often do zucchini or spaghetti squash anyway.
Additions/Substitutions:
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Use ground chicken instead of turkey.
You can use diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes or even tomato sauce if that is what you have available.
Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Use ground chicken instead of turkey.
You can use diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes or even tomato sauce if that is what you have available.
Nutrition
Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 2mg
