Let’s learn how to whip up a restaurant-quality Turkey Bolognese right in your kitchen! This recipe keeps things light and simple with basic ingredients, yet delivers a rich, hearty sauce in under 40 minutes!
This turkey bolognese recipe is my absolute favourite! It’s healthy and full of flavour, perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a regular weeknight or a special dinner. Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top, and if you like a bit of spice, add a pinch of chilli flakes!
This creamy slow-cooked turkey bolognese is the ultimate comfort food – it’s healthy, cosy, and bursting with flavour. You can enjoy it with any pasta shape you like, or try it with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter option.
And if you have leftovers, you can freeze them in airtight containers or ziplock bags for up to three months, so you’ll always have a delicious meal ready to enjoy!
Turkey Bolognese Recipe
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Pasta Pot for Cooking Pasta (if serving with pasta)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 medium Carrots peeled and finely chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 small Yellow onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 pound Ground turkey I suggest 93% lean; avoid 99% lean as it can dry out, or use ground chicken
- 3 cloves Garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tbsp dried Oregano
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon (or you can use an extra 14.5-ounce can of crushed tomatoes)
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes 14.5 ounces
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1/2 cup Whole milk
- 10 ounces Tagliatelle or fettuccine pasta
- Grated parmesan cheese chopped basil, and/or parsley for topping
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped carrots, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until they start to soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Turn up the heat a bit and add the ground turkey to the pan. Cook and break it up with a spoon until it browns, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until it smells nice.
- Pour the red wine into the pan, stirring to get any brown bits off the bottom.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and milk. Stir everything together.
- Let the sauce come to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if you want.
- While the sauce cooks, boil water in a big pot and cook the pasta until it’s just right (al dente).
- Drain the pasta and put it in a serving bowl.
- Spoon the sauce over the pasta and serve it hot. You can sprinkle some parmesan cheese, basil, or parsley on top.
Notes
- It’s best to put the sauce on the pasta right before you eat.
- If you have extra sauce, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- This recipe makes a lot of sauce, so you might have leftovers. You can reheat it in the microwave with the noodles for another tasty meal.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 585 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Protein | 63g |
| Cholesterol | 152mg |
| Sodium | 1263mg |
| Sugar | 19g |
| Calcium | 147mg |
| Iron | 4mg |
What’s the Best Pasta For Bolognese?
Bolognese sauce, like turkey bolognese, goes well with thick pasta shapes. Traditional tagliatelle works, but you can also try rigatoni, bucatini, pappardelle, or orecchiette. If you prefer gluten-free, brown rice pasta is a good option!
How Do You Freeze Turkey Bolognese?
After cooking the sauce, let it cool down completely. Then, put it in a container or ziplock bag suitable for freezing. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months.
How Long Does Turkey Bolognese Last?
Once it’s cooked and cooled, you can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stove before mixing it with pasta.
What Wine Should You Drink with Turkey Bolognese?
To keep it traditional, choose a wine from the same region as the dish. Lambrusco is a good match. These sparkling red wines come in different flavours, from slightly sweet to rich and bold, and they complement the bolognese flavours nicely.
