A simple way to incorporate vegetables into your pasta meal is with this Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce. Vegetables stuffed and cooked with lots of garlic, basil, and oregano Leftovers are always a bonus because they are freezer friendly and taste even better the next day!
You never have any complaints when the response to the query “What’s for dinner?” is “spaghetti.”
This is an easy way to sneak some extra veggies into everyone’s favorite dinner: ground turkey spaghetti sauce!
Spaghetti sauce, a staple in many kitchens, offers endless possibilities for customization This article compares two ground turkey spaghetti sauce recipes, highlighting their unique characteristics and strengths
Recipe 1: Classic Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Turkey and Sausage (Wholesomelicious)
This recipe emphasizes simplicity and classic flavors It features ground turkey, Italian sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs and spices. The combination of turkey and sausage adds richness and depth to the sauce, while the San Marzano tomatoes provide a vibrant, authentic tomato flavor. The red wine vinegar adds a touch of acidity, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large sweet yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 pound turkey sausage or ground Italian sausage
- 2 (28-ounce) cans San Marzano whole tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
Method:
- Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
- Add ground turkey and sausage, cooking until browned.
- Add tomatoes, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Simmer for at least 1 hour, up to 2 hours.
- Before serving, add red pepper flakes and basil (optional).
Recipe 2: Easy Meat Sauce with Turkey (This Silly Girl’s Kitchen)
This recipe prioritizes speed and convenience. It uses ground turkey seasoned with a homemade Italian sausage spice mix and combines it with a jar of marinara sauce. The result is a flavorful and satisfying sauce that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cracks fresh black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated
- 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce
Method:
- Combine ground turkey, spices, garlic, and cheese in a bowl.
- Brown the turkey mixture in a small saucepan.
- Add jarred sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
Comparison and Analysis:
Both recipes offer delicious variations on ground turkey spaghetti sauce. The Wholesomelicious recipe emphasizes classic flavors and uses whole ingredients, resulting in a richer and more complex sauce. The This Silly Girl’s Kitchen recipe prioritizes speed and convenience, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Additional Tips:
- For both recipes, consider using a combination of ground turkey and ground beef for added richness.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.
- Serve the spaghetti sauce with your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra burst of flavor.
Whether you prefer the classic flavors of the Wholesomelicious recipe or the convenience of the This Silly Girl’s Kitchen recipe, both offer a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy ground turkey spaghetti sauce. Experiment with different ingredients and toppings to find your perfect combination and create a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul.
Why you will love this:
- It is veggie packed. I rarely receive complaints when I make this recipe, which is heavy on the veggies. When the ground turkey spaghetti sauce is combined with pasta and cheese, the finely chopped vegetables become indiscernible. Well, my three-year-old will separate the meat, but that’s a different story.
- Little helpers will love helping chop veggies. One of my favorite ways to get help in the kitchen is with this sauce and chili. This sauce recipe requires a lot of time to chop all the vegetables, so working with my child helps. Bonus: Including them in food preparation increases the likelihood that they will eat it!
- Leftovers are the very best. I adore food that I can consume over several days. The second day, after the flavors and spices have had time to fully meld, this meat sauce tastes even better.
- Super freezer friendly. You can prepare one or two batches and store them in the freezer for several months or more. This is a great quick dinner for a night when you’re not feeling well or didn’t have time to prepare dinner.
Ingredients you will need:
- Tomato sauce is not the same as marinara sauce. Usually found in the grocery aisle next to the tomato paste and diced tomatoes is tomato sauce.
- For this turkey spaghetti sauce, I like to use ground turkey that is less lean. This keeps the meat moist and enhances flavor. I typically opt for something around 85/15 ground turkey. You could use ground chicken in this recipe as well.
- Veggie packed is my game plan with this sauce. When I chop things very small, and toss them with pasta and cheese, nobody really seems to mind. Add more if you’d like! This sauce also works well with mushrooms.
EASY SPAGHETTI W/HOMEMADE MEAT SAUCE | GROUND TURKEY RECIPE
FAQ
What can you add to jar spaghetti sauce to make it better?
How do you make ground turkey taste better?
Can you use pasta sauce straight from the jar?
How do you make a lean turkey spaghetti?
Lighten up! This lean turkey, spaghetti recipe swaps ground beef for protein-packed turkey without sacrificing flavor. In a large skillet, cook turkey until almost completely cooked. Add the onions and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain off excess oil. Stir in tomatoes, sauce, paste, and seasonings.
How do you make ground turkey pasta sauce?
Ground turkey pasta sauce is loaded with three kinds of tomatoes and healthy low-fat ground turkey. Brown ground turkey with onion and garlic until no pink remains. (Drain fat if needed). Add remaining ingredients (except parsley & basil) slightly breaking up the tomatoes.
How do you cook a ground turkey?
Heat a large pot to medium high heat, add olive oil to grease the pot. Add onion and garlic, cook for 3-5 minutes or until fragrant. Add both ground turkey and sausage. Cook sausage and turkey until no longer pink (8-10 mins). Add tomatoes, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir to combine, and bring to a boil.
How do you cook Turkey spaghetti in a crock pot?
Cover, bring to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the turkey spaghetti simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions. Drain, toss with spaghetti sauce, and serve.