Simple Turkey Bolognese and Spaghetti. This is a great alternative to traditional Bolognese sauce and has the bonus of fewer calories per serving. All you need are 4 ingredients: one 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, 1lb of ground turkey, 4 cloves of sliced garlic, and 1 stick of butter.
In a skillet on high heat cook the ground turkey until it browns. At the same time you are browning the ground turkey, in a medium sauce pot melt one stick of butter and sauté the garlic until golden brown.
Next, to the garlic add in the one can of crushed tomatoes and simmer for 30 minutes. To finish it all off, add in the browned ground turkey and simmer for another 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite pasta and grated cheese!
I typically make this turkey Bolognese and spaghetti dish on the weekend because it does take close to an hour. But from time to time, I get a craving and make this for dinner during the week. I may eat a few minutes later than normal, but it is worth the wait.
How to Make Turkey Bolognese and Spaghetti
Preparing the Turkey:
- In a skillet on high heat cook the ground turkey until it browned, about 10 minutes.
- Ensure you are mixing occasionally.
Preparing the Sauce:
- While the turkey is cooking, in a medium sauce pot melt one stick of butter and sauté the garlic until golden brown.
- Next, add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Next, add in the browned turkey and simmer for 10 minutes, mixing occasionally.
Preparing the Pasta:
- While the turkey is cooking, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil and add the spaghetti.
- Cook for 7-9 minutes until the pasta is tender. Strain pasta and place in a large bowl.
How to Serve Turkey Bolognese and Spaghetti
- To serve this turkey Bolognese and spaghetti, in a large serving bowl mix the spaghetti and sauce and top with grated cheese.
Invent Your Recipe:
This turkey Bolognese and spaghetti is a healthier take on Bolognese sauce since there are less calories in the ground turkey than ground beef, which is the traditional option. However, just substitute the ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, or pork and you have a entirely new dish.
You can cut back on the butter, or use a low calorie oil, to even further reduce the calories and make this turkey Bolognese and spaghetti a even healthier option. Whole wheat pasta or Einkorn pasta can be substituted as well, which might not reduce the calories drastically, but will present some added nutritional value.
If you like this turkey Bolognese and spaghetti recipe, try another one of our featured pasta posts at this link.
The Recipe
Turkey Bolognese and Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb. uncooked spaghetti
- 4 quarts water
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cloves sliced garlic
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup Romano cheese
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
Instructions
Preparing the Turkey:
- In a skillet on high heat cook the ground turkey until it browned, about 10 minutes.1 lb. ground turkey
- Ensure you are mixing occasionally.
Preparing the Sauce:
- While the turkey is cooking, in a medium sauce pot melt one stick of butter and sauté the garlic until golden brown.4 cloves sliced garlic, 1 stick unsalted butter
- Next, add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper and simmer for 30 minutes.28 oz. can crushed tomatoes, ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper
- Next, add in the browned turkey and simmer for 10 minutes, mixing occasionally.
Preparing the Pasta:
- While the turkey is cooking, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil and add the spaghetti.4 quarts water, 1 lb. uncooked spaghetti
- Cook for 7-9 minutes until the pasta is tender. Strain pasta and place in a large bowl.
To Serve:
- In a large serving bowl mix the spaghetti and sauce and top with grated cheese.¼ cup Romano cheese
Nutrition
For even more ideas like this turkey Bolognese and spaghetti, check out our Pinterest page.
Yum! Easy to make.