I posted the recipe for this Turkey Bolognese sauce back in 2016, it was actually one of my first posts. This is one of those recipes that you cook often and it improves each time you make it? Well, I think this is version 2.0 of the original one.
So…what is Bolognese?
Let’s start with Ragu. Ragu is an Italian meat-based sauce. It has many variations, and Bolognese is one of them. Bolognese is named after the way they cook this meat sauce in Bologna, Italy, and it also has many different variations. This is why you are going to hear a lot of people say “all Bolognese sauces are Ragu but not all Ragu sauces are Bolognese”.
Making this rich delicious sauce with turkey creates a lighter version and may also be quicker without sacrificing any flavor. Not to mention all you will be saving on prep time and ingredients.
This recipe calls for store-bought marinara or tomato basil sauce which is key in order to reduce the cooking time. The addition of vegetable or chicken broth, and the parmesan rind make this sauce always taste like it has been simmering for a very long time, when in fact, it takes about 30 minutes to be done.
Bolognese is traditionally served with Tagliatelle or Pappardelle, a wide flat pasta usually, to hold the chunky sauce when you twist your fork. However, I found short pasta the other day at the store (Gigli, or Campanelle) and it is my new favorite. It is shaped like little curly trumpets that allow you to scoop the sauce right into it. We even prefer this one over Tagliatelle (forgive us Italy!).
What do you need to make Turkey Bolognese Sauce:
- Olive oil
- Sweet onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- A couple of cloves of garlic
- Ground turkey
- Turkey Italian Sausage (optional)
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- White wine (optional)
- Store-bought Marinara or Tomato Basil sauce
- Half and half (optional)
- Dash of nutmeg
- 1 ounce of parmesan rind
If you use a little white wine to deglaze the sauce it will infuse some depth of flavor, but it is completely optional to use. Mixing the ground Turkey with one sweet Italian turkey sausage – also optional, adds another layer of flavor from different spices to the sauce. You could also mix the turkey with one spicy turkey sausage, and I am sure it will be incredible.
What do you serve with Turkey Bolognese?
Turkey Bolognese with pasta is a full meal as it is. I recommend serving it with light side dishes.
- Grilled or roasted vegetables are perfect sides.
- Green salad with a light dressing. Mixed greens, tomatoes, radishes with a simple vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar (or balsamic reduction) and olive oil or just a lemon dressing to balance off the richness of the sauce.
- Arugula with shaved parmesan and pine nuts with a lemon dressing is delicious – and very easy to put together.
Our favorite way to enjoy this sauce is to serve it with torn burrata and fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Paired with our favorite white wine and a good fresh mixed salad. Baby arugula with shaved parmesan, lemon, and a drizzle of hazelnut oil is so easy and a fantastic complement to this dish.
If you’re looking for vegetarian pasta alternatives then you should definitely try my recipe for my (no-bake) mac and cheese or my sweet pea and basil pesto.
I hope you love this Turkey Bolognese as much as we do. I always love to see your creations so please tag me here or here to let me know how it turned out!
xx
Easy Turkey Bolognese
You will love this healthier and lighter version of the classic bolognese sauce - and is ready in 30 mins!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey - I used 93% lean
- 1 Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage (optional)
- 24 oz of tomato basil or marinara sauce
- 1 sweet onion, chopped - about 1 cup
- 1 small carrot, chopped - about 3/4 cup
- 2 stacks of celery, chopped - about half a cup to 3/4 cup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup of basil leaves, julienne - divided
- 1/4 tsp or a pinch of dry thyme
- 1/4 tsp or a pinch of nutmeg, freshly ground
- 3/4 cup of vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup of white wine - I used Chardonnay (optional)
- 1/4 cup of half and half (optional)
- 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt - to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 oz of Parmesan rind - I used a piece of approx 2 inches or 6 cms (optional)
Instructions
- Place olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, add the carrot, celery, thyme, and garlic. Stir for about 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the ground turkey, remove the turkey sausage from the casing (if using) and mix with the turkey, crumbling the meat with a spatula or fork, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the turkey has started to brown.
- Pour the wine (if using) or just use 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth into the skillet and stir to scrape up any browned bits and deglaze the pan. Add the tomato basil or marinara sauce, salt, parmesan rind (if using), and pepper and stir until combined. Once it starts to boil, lower the heat, and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
- Add the half and half, nutmeg, about 1/3 of a cup of basil - save the rest for serving, and the remaining 1/2 cup vegetable broth to the sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Remove the parmesan rind and taste for salt and pepper and adjust if necessary.
Serve over pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
I prefer the use of 93% lean ground turkey as it has more flavor and moisture than 99% lean turkey.
If using a parmesan rind and a store-bought marinara sauce please be cautious with the amount of salt you use. I usually season the mirepoix or onion, celery, carrot sofrito very carefully until I add these ingredients to the sauce. Then I add salt to taste if necessary. Please remember to remove the rind from the sauce once it has been cooked.
We love to serve this sauce over pasta with pieces of burrata, fresh basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and red pepper flakes. It is simply divine!
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 344Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 97mgSodium 590mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 25g
Hi! This looks AMAZING! Did you mean 1 sausage or 1lb? Thanks!
Hi Carrie! The recipe calls for 1 Italian turkey sausage. I hope you love it! 😊
The best, thanks for sharing