Ground Turkey Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese sauce is a classic Italian pasta sauce renowned for its rich, meaty taste. This Ground Turkey Bolognese Sauce recipe features ground turkey as a lean and tasty alternative to traditional beef. Enjoy it over your favorite pasta for a delicious and hearty meal.
Yes, you can use a slow cooker or instant pot for convenience. Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to your slow cooker or use the sauté function on your instant pot. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker or use the manual setting on the instant pot oh high pressure for 20 minutes.
We love to serve our sauce with traditional pasta, zucchini noodles, polenta, rice or quinoa.
Absolutely! Ground beef, ground pork, or a combination can be used. However, using lean ground turkey or turkey mince is a great option for a lower fat content and a healthier bolognese sauce.
Email Me This Recipe!
Need to save time? Have this article emailed straight to your inbox + sign up for all the latest recipes!
If you prefer not to use red wine, you can substitute it with additional chicken broth, vegetable broth, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It can last for up to 3-4 days or be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ground Turkey Bolognese Sauce
- In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the other side. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, red wine (if using), chicken or vegetable broth, dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or pot, and let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Stir in the milk or cream to add a touch of richness to the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook your choice of pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
More Easy Dinners We Love
Ground Turkey Bolognese Sauce
Email this recipe!
Get this recipe emailed straight to your inbox!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large carrots finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks finely chopped
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dry red wine optional
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground turkey to the other side. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, red wine (if using), chicken or vegetable broth, dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or pot, and let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Stir in the milk or cream to add a touch of richness to the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked pasta. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Make sure to share it with me below!
