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A plate of spaghetti topped with hearty Turkey Bolognese sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil.

Turkey Bolognese (Weeknight)

A hearty and flavorful turkey bolognese sauce that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe is simple to prepare and can be served over pasta or zucchini noodles.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Simmer Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced small
  • 1 large carrot diced small
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce or puree
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
To Serve
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Fresh basil thinly sliced, to top
  • Shaved parmesan to top

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. Warm a few teaspoons of olive oil in a wide, high-sided skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and a half teaspoon of salt, and cook until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Add the ground turkey and other half teaspoon of salt to the pan. Cook, breaking up the turkey with your spoon, until the meat is browned and no longer raw in the middle. Break up the turkey as much or as little as you like as you cook.
  3. Add the tomato paste and stir to coat all the ingredients. Pour the wine into the pan and stir until it's been mostly absorbed. Stir in the tomato sauce. Let the sauce come to a rapid simmer, then turn the heat down to low and let the sauce cook while you make the pasta.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt and the spaghetti. Stir occasionally until the spaghetti softens and is no longer sticking above the water. Cook until the spaghetti is al dente. Before draining, scoop out a cup or so of the starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
  5. Stir the balsamic vinegar into the sauce and taste. If the sauce is thicker than you'd like, add a little of the starchy pasta water. Add salt or pepper as you like.
  6. Serve plates of the spaghetti with the sauce spooned over top. Add a sprinkle of basil and parmesan.

Notes

This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated. It also freezes well.

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