Easy Turkey Bolognese Spaghetti (Healthy and Hearty)
This Turkey Bolognese Spaghetti is a lighter, healthier take on a traditional Italian favorite. Made with lean ground turkey, aromatic vegetables, and a rich tomato base, it delivers all the comfort of classic bolognese with fewer calories and saturated fat.Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this dish is hearty, flavorful, and simple to make. It’s sure to become a regular in your healthy dinner rotation!
Ingredients
For the Turkey Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 2 carrots peeled and finely diced
- 2 celery stalks finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound 450g lean ground turkey (93% lean)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup red wine or chicken broth optional, for deglazing
For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces spaghetti regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free
- Salt for pasta water
Optional for Serving:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
Prepare the veggies:
- Dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.
Sauté the base:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
Cook the turkey:
- Add the ground turkey. Break it up with a spoon or spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Deglaze and add tomato base:
- If using, pour in the wine or broth to deglaze the pan and scrape up browned bits. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
Simmer the sauce:
- Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
Cook the spaghetti:
- While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining.
Combine and serve:
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the turkey bolognese sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling. Garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan, if desired.