Turkey Bolognese with Zucchini (Printable)
Lean turkey simmered with tomatoes and herbs, served over tender zucchini noodles for a fresh twist.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meat & Protein
01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
08 - 4 large zucchini, spiralized into noodles
→ Liquids & Oils
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Herbs & Spices
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1 tsp dried basil
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ For Serving
16 - 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
17 - Grated Parmesan cheese (omit for dairy-free)
# How-to Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, until softened.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
03 - Add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes.
04 - Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
06 - While the sauce simmers, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes, just until slightly tender but still crisp. Do not overcook.
07 - Serve the turkey Bolognese sauce over the zucchini noodles. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- That hearty Bolognese satisfaction without the heavy pasta afterward
- The turkey stays incredibly moist while soaking up all the classic Italian flavors
02 -
- Zucchini noodles release a surprising amount of water, so cook them separately and don't let them go past slightly tender or you'll end up with a watery situation
- The sauce actually tastes better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it ahead and let those flavors develop even more
03 -
- Pat your turkey dry with paper towels before cooking to help it brown better and prevent the sauce from being greasy
- If your zucchini noodles are really long, use kitchen scissors to cut them into more manageable strands after spiralizing