Turkey Bolognese
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Published Oct 02, 2023, Updated Aug 23, 2024
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This turkey bolognese is a lightened up version of a classic Italian dish, but it’s still thick, hearty and packed with flavor. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!
Who says comfort food can’t be guilt-free? Meet our Turkey Bolognese—a lean and mean twist on the Italian classic that won’t make you compromise on flavor or heartiness. Packed with ground turkey and a medley of fresh veggies, this dish gives a whole new meaning to “good for the soul” cooking. Plus, it’s so easy to make, you’ll feel like an Italian chef without breaking a sweat. So if you’re looking for a dinner that’ll impress the fam and keep you feeling great, this Turkey Bolognese is a no-brainer.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lean Protein: The use of 93% lean ground turkey makes this a healthier alternative to the classic beef Bolognese without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Nutrient-Rich: With an array of veggies like carrots, celery, and onions, this dish is not just tasty but also nutritious.
- Versatile Pasta Choices: Whether you like Tagliatelle, fettuccine, or bucatini, this sauce pairs well with a wide range of pasta.
- Easy to Make: Though it tastes like you slaved over a hot stove for hours, this bolognese comes together in under an hour, making it a great option for weeknight dinners.
Where Does Bolognese Sauce Originate?
Bolognese sauce, originally known as ragù alla bolognese, is a meat-based sauce originating from Bologna, Italy. Traditionally, this hearty sauce is made with a mixture of minced beef, pork, and sometimes veal, along with a mirepoix of celery, carrots, and onions. It’s simmered slowly with tomato paste, broth, and sometimes milk or cream, to create a rich and flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with broad, flat pasta like tagliatelle or fettuccine.
The turkey variant, however, is more of a modern, health-conscious twist on the classic recipe. Ground turkey is used as a leaner alternative to the more traditional meats, offering a lighter, yet still satisfying, version of the beloved Italian dish. While not traditional by Italian standards, turkey Bolognese has gained popularity in many parts of the world, particularly in countries where dietary preferences or restrictions make turkey a more appealing or accessible option.
Ingredients Needed
- olive oil – used for sautéing the veggies and giving the base of the sauce a rich flavor.
- veggies – carrots, celery, and onion make up the “soffritto,” the Italian version of a mirepoix, providing a flavorful base for the sauce.
- garlic – adds a kick of aroma and taste.
- ground turkey – a lean protein source that makes this bolognese healthier.
- salt and ground pepper – for seasoning.
- italian seasoning – an easy way to add classic Italian herbs.
- cinnamon or nutmeg – for a unique warming flavor.
- low sodium veggie broth – adds liquid without too much salt.
- canned whole peeled San Marzano or plum tomatoes – the backbone of the sauce.
- tomato paste – for thickening and enriching the sauce.
- fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, and/or oregano for a burst of flavor at the end.
- tagliatelle, fettuccine, or bucatini – your choice of pasta to serve with the bolognese.
- parmesan cheese – for that extra touch of Italian authenticity.
Substitutions
- Veggies – Don’t have carrots or celery? No worries! You can easily swap them out for other veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, or even finely chopped mushrooms.
- Protein – I love using ground turkey for its lean protein, but ground chicken or beef would also work nicely here. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try using a plant-based ground meat substitute.
- Broth – If you don’t have vegetable broth on hand, you can substitute with chicken or beef broth, which will add a richer flavor. For a little extra depth, a splash of red or white wine can also do wonders—just be sure to simmer it down so the alcohol cooks off.
- Pasta – While I love the way tagliatelle, fettuccine, or bucatini soak up the sauce, you can really use any pasta you like. Whole wheat pasta adds a nice nutty flavor, or you can go for gluten-free or high-protein options like chickpea pasta if that’s your jam.
- Cheese – If you’re dairy-free, you can swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast or a plant-based parmesan. Both will give you that cheesy kick without the dairy.
How to Make
Step 1: Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue sautéing for an additional minute to let the flavors meld.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey to the large pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Make sure to break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
Step 3: Add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to elevate the flavors.
Step 4: Pour in the veggie broth, then add the whole peeled tomatoes and tomato paste. Use your wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
Step 5: Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to concentrate. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: While the sauce is working its magic, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water before draining.
Brittany’s Tip
Choose the Right Ground Turkey – I used 93% lean ground turkey for this recipe, which strikes a nice balance between flavor and healthfulness. If you use a leaner mix, like 99% fat-free, the sauce may be a bit drier. You can always add a little extra olive oil or broth to compensate.
How to Serve Turkey Bolognese
- Classic Italian: The traditional way to enjoy bolognese is simply over freshly cooked pasta, topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and a sprig of fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
- With Garlic Bread: Enhance your Italian dinner by serving the bolognese with a side of garlic bread. It’s perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on your plate.
- Over Polenta: For a gluten-free option, try serving the turkey bolognese over creamy polenta.
- Vegetable Noodles: Keep it low-carb by using spiralized zucchini or sweet potato noodles as a pasta substitute.
- In a Bread Bowl: For a hearty, cozy meal, serve the bolognese in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl.
- Side Salad: Pair it with a simple Italian salad—mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, olives, and a vinaigrette—to balance out the meal.
- Wine Pairing: A glass of red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano will complement the rich flavors of the bolognese sauce.
- Kids’ Favorite: For the little ones, serve the bolognese over small pasta shapes like shells or macaroni.
- Meal Prep: This dish is also perfect for meal prep. Simply portion out the sauce and your carb of choice into meal prep containers for a quick and easy future meal.
- Community Style: Hosting a dinner party? Place the big pot of bolognese sauce in the middle of the table and let everyone serve themselves, family-style.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Bolognese
- In the Fridge: Store any leftover turkey bolognese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- In the Freezer: This bolognese sauce freezes well. Portion it into airtight containers or zip-top bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight if frozen, then warm in a saucepan over low heat. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Meal Prep: If you’re planning to use this recipe for meal prep, store individual servings of the sauce and pasta in separate containers to keep the pasta from absorbing too much sauce and becoming mushy.
More Pasta Dishes to Try
- Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese
- Cottage Cheese Pasta
- One Pot Pasta
- Ground Turkey Pasta
- Lasagna Soup
- Easy Baked Ziti
Be sure to check out the full collection of dinner recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Turkey Bolognese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped (1 cup)
- 1-2 stalks celery, finely chopped (½ cup)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey, I used 93% lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
- 1 cup low sodium veggie broth
- 1 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes or plum tomatoes
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 lb Tagliatelle, fettuccine or bucatini (whole wheat if desired)
- Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme and/or oregano, for serving
- Freshly grated parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan or dutch oven.
- Saute carrots, celery, onion until veggies start to soften, about 5 minutes. Then add garlic and saute an additional minute.
- Add ground turkey and cook for 5-7 min until no pink remains, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Stir in salt, pepper, italian seasoning and cinnamon
- Add tomatoes, broth and tomato paste and stir to combine, breaking up tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, until it starts to thicken, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve some of the pasta water to save for later.
- Taste the sauce and add additional salt, black pepper, or additional seasoning as desired. If you want more of a liquidy sauce you can now add some of the reserved pasta water to the sauce, if desired.
- One pasta is done cooking, portion onto a plate and top with the turkey bolognese. Sprinkle fresh parmesan and fresh herbs on top, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do everything as Brittany says and it’ll rock your world. I’ve planned 2 weeks of family meals from eatingbirdfood.com and it’s been a success every night. Polished off this delicious Turkey Bolognese for a family of 5 this evening and just had to express my gratitude.
Aww thank you SO much, Hannah! I am excited to hear this recipe turned out amazing for you and everyone loved it. Thank you for your review & star rating, I truly appreciate it!
A treat, as every recipe on this website is! The cinnamon adds a really subtle touch of sweet that fits perfectly.
Love this! I am so glad you’re enjoying this recipe and it turned out amazing for you, Heather. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!