The simplest and tastiest recipe for ground turkey spaghetti is made with basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or refrigerator. This is the best spaghetti meat sauce recipe ever, and it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. We make it at least once a week.
Ground turkey, Italian seasonings, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and onions and carrots are simmered to make a meat sauce for spaghetti. In addition to being delicious, turkey spaghetti is healthier than other traditional meat sauces made with sausage or ground beef.
This has become my FAVORITE way to make homemade spaghetti meat sauce. This sauce can be made in about 25 minutes from start to finish, so you can quickly put dinner on the table!
This recipe will serve about 4-6 people depending on everyones appetite. If you are cooking for a larger crowd, simply double the recipe.
Not only does turkey spaghetti make fantastic leftovers, but it keeps well in the refrigerator for two to three days.
Craving a hearty and satisfying spaghetti dinner but looking for a healthier alternative to traditional meat sauces? Look no further than ground turkey! This versatile ingredient offers a delicious and lean base for a flavorful spaghetti sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore two fantastic ground turkey spaghetti recipes, each with its unique twist. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about using ground turkey in spaghetti sauce, ensuring you have all the information you need to create a mouthwatering meal.
Recipe 1: Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce from Food.com
This classic recipe from Food.com is a crowd-pleaser, offering a simple and straightforward approach to making a flavorful ground turkey spaghetti sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
- In a large pot, brown the ground turkey over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, spices, butter, and salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Serve over your favorite cooked spaghetti and enjoy!
Recipe 2: Turkey Spaghetti from Amanda Cooks & Styles
This recipe from Amanda Cooks & Styles takes a slightly different approach, incorporating grated carrot and balsamic vinegar for added depth of flavor
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot and onion, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and cook until softened.
- Add garlic and ground turkey to the vegetables and cook until the turkey is browned.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, seasonings, and parmesan cheese.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve the turkey spaghetti sauce over cooked spaghetti and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Turkey Spaghetti:
- Can I use ground beef or Italian sausage instead of ground turkey? Absolutely! Both ground beef and Italian sausage work well in these recipes. Simply adjust the cooking time as needed, ensuring the meat is fully cooked through.
- How can I make this recipe even healthier? Use whole-wheat spaghetti for added fiber, and consider adding chopped vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the sauce for extra nutrients.
- What are some good side dishes to serve with ground turkey spaghetti? A simple salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables would make excellent accompaniments.
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, the sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve.
Additional Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground turkey and ground pork.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs to create your own unique flavor profile.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Top your spaghetti with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
With these delicious recipes and helpful tips, you’re sure to create a ground turkey spaghetti dinner that will satisfy the whole family. So grab your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to enjoy a flavorful and healthy meal!
Ingredients you need to make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce:
Ground Turkey – Youll need one pound of ground turkey. I used 90/10 fat ratio but you can also use 85/15. You can also use ground beef or ground Italian sausage in this recipe.
Tomato Sauce – Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes both work great in this recipe. You can use one large 28-ounce can of tomato sauce instead of the two 15-ounce cans that I used.
Onion – Yellow, white or red onion all work great.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is best.
Carrot: For this recipe, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of grated carrot, or one large carrot. Carrot adds a delicious hearty flavor to the sauce, so i dont recommend skipping this ingredient.
Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Dried Parsley.
Any type of spaghetti will work, including angel hair, regular, and thin varieties; for this recipe, I used thin spaghetti.
Balsamic Vinegar: This gives the sauce a wonderful flavor. If you don’t have any, you can use red wine in its place or omit it entirely.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is best but you can use pre-shredded as well!
Olive Oil: For this recipe, olive oil works best, but avocado oil or butter will also work.
How to make the best Turkey Spaghetti:
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot and onion to the pan. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over veggies. Cover and cook for a few minutes until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic and ground turkey to the vegetables, and cook for about ten minutes, or until the turkey is thoroughly cooked.
Stir in tomato sauce, seasonings and parmesan cheese. Cover and cook over a very low simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve Turkey Spaghetti Sauce over cooked spaghetti! Enjoy!