Turkey Bolognese
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This turkey bolognese is a lighter take on the classic Italian sauce, but it’s still thick, hearty, and full of flavor. Made with lean ground turkey, a veggie-packed base, and a rich tomato sauce, it’s an easy weeknight dinner that feels cozy and satisfying.
There is nothing quite like a big pot of sauce simmering on the stove to make the house feel cozy. This turkey bolognese is my favorite way to get that deep, authentic Italian flavor while keeping things on the lighter side. By using lean ground turkey and sweet San Marzano tomatoes, you get a rich, savory sauce that feels indulgent but won’t weigh you down.
It comes together easily in under an hour and makes enough for leftovers, which is always a win. Pair it with your favorite pasta and a little fresh parmesan for an easy, comforting dinner.
Table of Contents
“A treat, as every recipe on this website is! The cinnamon adds a really subtle touch of sweet that fits perfectly.”
Why I Love This Turkey Bolognese
- Cozy and comforting: This turkey bolognese gives you all the comfort of a classic meat sauce without feeling heavy. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect when you’re craving something warm and familiar.
- Big flavor, lighter feel: Using ground turkey and a base of sautéed veggies keeps this sauce lighter than traditional bolognese, but you’d honestly never guess by the flavor.
- Weeknight-friendly: It tastes like it simmered all day, but it comes together in under an hour. This is one of those reliable dinners you can make on repeat.
- Great for leftovers: The flavors get even better after a day in the fridge, which makes this perfect for meal prep or easy lunches later in the week.
Ingredients Needed
- veggies – carrots, celery, and onion make up the “soffritto,” the Italian version of a mirepoix, providing a flavorful base for the sauce.
- ground turkey – a lean protein source that makes this bolognese healthier.
- low sodium veggie broth – a splash of broth keeps the sauce from drying out during the simmering process while adding an extra layer of savory notes.
- San Marzano tomatoes – these are the gold standard for bolognese. They are sweeter and less acidic than standard canned tomatoes, creating a smooth, high-quality base.
- cinnamon or nutmeg – the “secret ingredient!” A tiny pinch of warm spice enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes and carrots, giving the sauce a professional, rounded finish.
- tomato paste – adds a concentrated punch of umami and helps thicken the sauce so it clings perfectly to your pasta.
- tagliatelle or bucatini – these wider or hollow pasta shapes are ideal for a meat sauce because they have more surface area to hold onto the turkey and tomatoes.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Turkey Bolognese
Step 1: Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue sautéing for an additional minute to let the flavors meld.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey to the large pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Make sure to break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
Step 3: Add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to elevate the flavors.
Step 4: Pour in the veggie broth, then add the whole peeled tomatoes and tomato paste. Use your wooden spoon to break up the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
Step 5: Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to concentrate. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6: While the sauce is working its magic, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water before draining.
Brittany’s Tip
- Choose the right ground turkey: I recommend using 93% lean ground turkey for the best balance of flavor and texture. Super lean turkey can make the sauce a little dry, so if that’s what you’re using, add a splash of broth or olive oil.
How to Serve Turkey Bolognese
This turkey bolognese is super versatile, which makes it perfect for both weeknight dinners and leftovers you can repurpose later in the week. I usually keep things simple, but there are so many good ways to serve it depending on what you’re craving.
- Classic Italian: The traditional way to enjoy bolognese is simply over freshly cooked pasta, topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and a sprig of fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
- With bread on the side: Pair it with a slice of sourdough or garlic bread to scoop up every bit of sauce. Highly recommend!
- Lightened-up plate: Balance the richness with a simple side like my arugula salad or kale Caesar salad. The fresh crunch works so well here.
- Low-carb option: Spoon the sauce over zucchini noodles or roasted spaghetti squash for a lighter take that still feels satisfying.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Bolognese
- In the fridge: Store leftover turkey bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: This sauce freezes really well. Portion it into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and store for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Meal prep tip: If prepping ahead, store the sauce and pasta separately so the noodles don’t soak up too much liquid and get mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Just skip the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative when serving.
Long noodles like tagliatelle, fettuccine, or bucatini work best because they hold onto the sauce really well, but any pasta you love will work here.
More Pasta Dishes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Turkey Bolognese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped (1 cup)
- 1-2 stalks celery, finely chopped (½ cup)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey, I used 93% lean
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
- 1 cup low sodium veggie broth
- 1 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes or plum tomatoes
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 lb Tagliatelle, fettuccine or bucatini (whole wheat if desired)
- Fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme and/or oregano, for serving
- Freshly grated parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan or dutch oven.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Saute carrots, celery, onion until veggies start to soften, about 5 minutes. Then add garlic and saute an additional minute.2 medium carrots, 1-2 stalks celery, 1 medium yellow onion, 4 large garlic clove
- Add ground turkey and cook for 5-7 min until no pink remains, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.1 lb ground turkey
- Stir in salt, pepper, italian seasoning and cinnamon1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper, 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning, Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Add tomatoes, broth and tomato paste and stir to combine, breaking up tomatoes with a wooden spoon.1 cup low sodium veggie broth, 1 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes or plum tomatoes, 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, until it starts to thicken, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve some of the pasta water to save for later.1 lb Tagliatelle
- Taste the sauce and add additional salt, black pepper, or additional seasoning as desired. If you want more of a liquidy sauce you can now add some of the reserved pasta water to the sauce, if desired.
- One pasta is done cooking, portion onto a plate and top with the turkey bolognese. Sprinkle fresh parmesan and fresh herbs on top, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover turkey bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Do everything as Brittany says and it’ll rock your world. I’ve planned 2 weeks of family meals from eatingbirdfood.com and it’s been a success every night. Polished off this delicious Turkey Bolognese for a family of 5 this evening and just had to express my gratitude.
Aww thank you SO much, Hannah! I am excited to hear this recipe turned out amazing for you and everyone loved it. Thank you for your review & star rating, I truly appreciate it!
A treat, as every recipe on this website is! The cinnamon adds a really subtle touch of sweet that fits perfectly.
Love this! I am so glad you’re enjoying this recipe and it turned out amazing for you, Heather. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!