Are you looking for a way to spice up your pasta night with a delicious and nutritious sauce? If so, you’ll love this easy and healthy turkey bolognese recipe that you can whip up in no time.
This recipe uses lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and a simple tomato sauce to create a hearty and satisfying dish that is low in fat and high in protein. Plus, it’s super easy to make, with only a few ingredients and one pot. You can serve it over your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or even rice.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and tasty meal that the whole family will enjoy. Read on to find out how to make this amazing turkey bolognese in just a few simple steps.
Ingredients
To make this easy and healthy turkey bolognese, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 500 grams of lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (400 grams) of crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
You will also need a large skillet, a wooden spoon, a measuring cup, a measuring spoon, a can opener, a knife, and a cutting board.
Instructions
To make this turkey bolognese recipe, follow these easy steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Put the onion and garlic in a pan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every so often, until they are soft and see-through.
- Add the ground turkey, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, water, and tomato paste to the sauce and bring it to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer without a lid until it thickens a bit, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Next, mix in some parsley and taste the sauce. If it needs more seasoning, add some.
- Serve the turkey bolognese over your preferred pasta, zucchini noodles, or rice. You can add grated Parmesan cheese on top if you like. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
- Turkey bolognese is a healthier alternative to the traditional beef bolognese, as it is lower in fat and calories, but still high in protein and flavor.
- A typical serving size of turkey bolognese (about 1 cup of sauce and 1/4 of the noodles) has around 340 to 480 calories, 9 to 13 grams of fat, 2 to 3 grams of saturated fat, 63 to 133 milligrams of cholesterol, 319 to 1000 milligrams of sodium, 37 to 55 grams of carbohydrates, 2 to 4 grams of fiber, 5 to 6 grams of sugar, and 22 to 34 grams of protein.
- Turkey bolognese also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, depending on the ingredients used in the sauce.
- To make turkey bolognese even healthier, you can use whole wheat pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash instead of regular pasta, and add more vegetables to the sauce, such as carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach, or kale. You can also use low-fat milk or cream cheese instead of heavy cream, and omit the butter and cheese for the topping.
Tips and Variations
To make this turkey bolognese recipe even better, you can try some of these tips and variations:
- For a creamier sauce, you can add some low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt at the end of cooking. This will also add some extra protein and calcium to your dish.
- For a more flavorful sauce, you can add some red wine, Worcestershire sauce, or balsamic vinegar along with the tomato paste. This will enhance the depth and richness of the sauce.
- For a more colorful and nutritious dish, you can add some chopped carrots, celery, mushrooms, spinach, or kale to the sauce. This will increase the fiber and vitamin content of your meal.
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, you can substitute the ground turkey with lentils, tofu, or plant-based meat. You can also use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for the topping.
Bottom Line
You’ve just learned how to make an easy and healthy turkey bolognese recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is both tasty and healthy. It has less fat, more protein, and lots of vegetables. You can eat it with pasta, zucchini noodles, or rice and add your own favorite ingredients and seasonings. You can also make it ahead and freeze it for later use, or store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. This turkey bolognese is sure to become a family favorite that everyone will love. Try it today and let us know what you think in the comments below. Bon appetit!
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