This turkey bolognese will have you salivating. It is a hearty sauce that is filled with market-fresh veggies and herbs and masterfully seasoned.

Turkey bolognese satisfies your pasta, comfort food craving minus complete carb overload! Do not feel like eating healthy means a lifetime of no pasta (who wants to live in a world like that!?) Don’t fear, you can enjoy savory Italian spices in a rich tomato flavored sauce AND be healthy!

what are the best noodles for turkey bolognese

I love to use Jovial’s brown rice noodles which come in a variety of shapes & sizes. I used Jovial’s egg tagliatelle noodle for this bolognese or use their capellini.
Whole wheat noodles
Spaghetti squash noodles
Zucchini noodles
No noodles! The consistency of this bolognese is similar to chili so you could eat it by itself with a spoon. Top with some mouth-watering homemade croutons.

how to make turkey bolognese

To start, brown the turkey meat (lean ground beef works too). Once browned, take out of the sauté pan and put aside.

Now add those gorgeous chopped veggies. If you really want to go nuts, sauté these suckers in my herb-infused olive oil. I PROMISE that you will not be disappointed!

Next add your tomatoes and bay leaves.

Once the tomatoes have been on for some time and soft, use the back of a spoon or potato masher to mash.

After 20 minutes of simmering, add the turkey back. You can also add a little bit of the pasta water if you want more liquid in your sauce. Right before serving, add the balsamic vinegar and chopped basil.

Serve with noodles or zoodles, for an even lighter meal.

There you have it – a robust sauce fit for the gods in 30 minutes!

how long does turkey bolognese last?

Properly stored, cooked meat sauce will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To further extend the shelf life of cooked meat sauce, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

You could also freeze turkey bolognese by placing the leftover sauce in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

what to have with turkey bolognese

Fresh vegetables or a salad are a fantastic complement to turkey bolognese.

how to thicken turkey bolognese

There are a few things you can do to thicken your sauce: First, you can simmer it longer at a low heat. Second, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot powder. If you’re adding starch or powder, place it in a small bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Whisk until smooth and then add it to the sauce. This helps prevent lumps.

Other healthy pasta recipes you’ll enjoy:

best turkey bolognese

Author: Karen
Prep Time: 8 mins.
Cook Time: 40 mins.
Total Time: 50 mins.
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This thick, flavorful turkey bolognese sauce tastes like it’s been on the stove for hours but it only takes 30 minutes! It’s the perfect weeknight meal!

Scale

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 pound ground turkey (lean beef works too)
1 small carrot, diced
1 celery ribs, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 cup mushrooms, diced (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes, with juice
2 bay leaves
10 oz. pappardelle (I used Jovial brown rice egg tagliatelle)
1/4 cup fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook turkey until no longer pink and slightly brown, 6 to 7 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.
2. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to pot over medium-high heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic and cook until beginning to soften, 6 minutes, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add tomatoes and gently crush them using the back of a wooden spoon or potato masher. Add bay leaves and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pappardelle until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
5. Stir in basil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaves, then toss sauce and pasta together in the pot. Divide into serving bowls and garnish with basil and Parmesan.

Keywords: turkey bolognese, bolognese, pasta bolognese, turkey pasta bolognese

delicious gluten-free turkey bolognese

what are the best noodles for turkey bolognese