Turkey Bolognese Recipe

Name: Turkey Bolognese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup carrots, chopped finely; 1 cup celery, chopped finely; 1/2 large onion, chopped finely; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean); 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp basil; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 cup dry red wine; 1 1/2 cup beef broth; 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 lb pasta; Fresh basil (for garnish); Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

by Kayla Berman on Jan 5, 2022 (updated Oct 10, 2022) 1 comment

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Homemade Turkey Bolognese is a thick & hearty meat sauce with a rich, bold, and cozy flavor! It’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight pasta dinner or even a date night. Plus you can have this classic Italian dish ready in under 1 hour. Everyone will love this better than takeout recipe!

Ingredients needed for Turkey Bolognese…

Turkey Bolognese is loaded with wholesome, flavorful, and simple ingredients!

Carrot, Onion, & Celery: This hearty meat sauce starts off with the classic carrots, onion, and celery. You’ll need 1 cup chopped carrots, 1 cup chopped celery, and 1/2 large onion for the flavorful base here.
Olive Oil: Use 3 tbsp of olive oil to sauté the vegetables in this recipe.
Fresh Garlic: In my opinion, garlic is to savory foods like chocolate is to sweets. The more the better! I used 3 fresh garlic cloves here, but by all means add to your heart’s delight.
Ground Turkey: The main ingredient in this Turkey Bolognese is 1 lb ground turkey! I highly recommend using 93% lean ground turkey for the best results.
Tomato Paste: Add 1 tbsp tomato paste to this pasta dish.
Red Wine: This delicious sauce calls for 1 cup of dry red wine. It adds such a rich & bold flavor, so don’t skip this ingredient. I recommend a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Beef Broth: Beef broth is another very important liquid here. 1 1/2 cups of beef broth also adds to that rich, full flavor of this sauce. It helps to deliver that hearty meat sauce feeling without actually using ground beef!
Crushed Tomatoes: Add a 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes to this sauce. This will serve as the tomato base!
Heavy Cream: A signature ingredient in bolognese sauce is heavy cream and is included in this recipe too. I love the creaminess that 1/4 cup adds!
Spices & Seasonings: This recipe calls for 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. I recommend adding more salt, pepper, and the other seasonings to taste!
Pasta: Serve this delicious sauce on top of 1 lb of the pasta of your choice.

Is Turkey Bolognese Sauce a healthier option?

Yes! I am not a dietician or nutritionist, but in my opinion this recipe is a healthier option than the classic bolognese.

Mainly because the protein used is ground turkey. Ground turkey is lower in saturated fat than ground beef and is heart healthy!

How to make this Turkey Bolognese Recipe…

Turkey Bolognese Sauce is a quick and easy recipe! It’s perfect for a weeknight pasta dinner or to even impress a date. Plus unlike most bolognese recipes, this one does not need to simmer for hours. You’ll need about 1 hour from start to finish!

Add the olive oil, carrots, celery, and onion to a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Sauté for 5-10 minutes until soft & fragrant.
Next add in the ground turkey. Halfway through cooking add in the minced garlic, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook completely through.
Add the red wine and simmer for about 5 minutes until the wine cooks off.
Next add the tomato paste, beef broth, and crushed tomatoes. Combine evenly. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and add more salt & pepper to taste.
Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes.
Serve over the pasta with parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top.
Enjoy!

Turkey Bolognese tips…

Follow the tips below for the perfect Turkey Bolognese each & every time.

Use 93% lean ground turkey! This variation and fat percentage has much more flavor and richness than others. It will make for a more delicious, well rounded meat sauce.
Chop veggies beforehand! If you are making this bolognese sauce as a weeknight dinner you can chop your veggies before you actually cook the meal. Maybe at the beginning of the week or whenever you have 20 minutes to spare. This will save you a bunch of time on busy night!
Season to your liking! Everyone has different tastes and preferences, which is why I always recommend to season to your own liking. One size, or measurement of oregano, will not fit all! Adding salt, pepper, and all other seasoning’s to your own taste will ensure you enjoy the recipe.
Let simmer! Now this recipe does not require hours of simmering, but it does call for some. I recommend at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop deliciously.
Do not skip the wine! Red wine is key in this recipe, it creates that signature bold flavor. Use a dry red like Cabernet Sauvignon.

How to best serve Ground Turkey Bolognese…

Turkey Bolognese Sauce is of course best served on top of a big bowl of pasta with fresh basil and parmesan cheese for garnish. Ugh, I’m drooling just thinking about it! Oh and a glass of wine too.

As for the pasta, I highly recommend a refrigerated fresh pasta. You can find this in most grocery stores! The shape of it is up to you, but this Italian classic is traditionally served on a flat pasta like fettuccine or pappardelle. I love fettuccine!

Storing the Easy Pasta Dinner…

Store this easy Turkey Bolognese Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about 1 week!

Can I freeze Turkey Bolognese Sauce?

Yes, of course! This delicious pasta sauce is totally freezer friendly. Simply place in a freezer safe ziplock bag and then pop in the freezer.

It will last for a couple of months!

Love this recipe? Check out some more delicious pastas below…

Connect with me!

If you make this Turkey Bolognese Recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram so I can see and share your recreations!

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.