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.
Ground turkey spaghetti is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s also a great way to sneak in some extra veggies and protein into your diet.
In this blog post, we’ll be comparing two popular ground turkey spaghetti recipes: one from The Natural Nurturer and one from Foodcom We’ll also be providing some tips on how to make the perfect ground turkey spaghetti.
Ground Turkey Spaghetti with 3 Added Veggies (The Natural Nurturer)
This recipe from The Natural Nurturer is a healthy and flavorful take on the classic ground turkey spaghetti It includes three added veggies: grated carrot, grated zucchini, and chopped spinach These veggies add extra nutrients and fiber to the dish, making it a more well-rounded meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces spaghetti, broken in half, or pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups finely chopped spinach, or ¾ cup thawed frozen spinach
- 1½ cups pasta sauce
- 14.5 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Fresh basil, finely chopped + optional garnish
Instructions:
- Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Save 1 cup of cooking water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions, grated zucchini, and grated carrots to the pot/skillet. Season with ½ teaspoon of salt and cook for about 5 minutes or until the veggies start to soften.
- Crumble the ground turkey into the pot/skillet with the veggies. Add the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Cook, breaking apart the meat with a large wooden spoon, until cooked. About 7 minutes.
- Add garlic to the pot/skillet and cook for 1 minute, or until garlic is fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, spinach and ½ cup pasta water to the pot/skillet and stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes or until spinach has wilted. If you would like the sauce to be thinner, stir in the remaining ½ cup of water and simmer for a couple extra minutes.
- Stir in cooked and drained pasta until it is evenly distributed in the veggie turkey mixture.
- Serve and top with fresh basil, if using.
Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce (Food.com)
This recipe from Food.com is a simple and classic ground turkey spaghetti sauce. It’s made with just a few ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes. This is a great option for those who are short on time or who are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) 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 4 1/2 quart pot/pan brown the ground turkey over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, stirring until all is combined.
- Add chicken broth to thin it down a little bit.
- Add spices, butter, and salt and pepper and allow to simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes (just long enough to boil the water and cook the pasta!).
- Taste and adjust seasonings to preference.
Tips for Making the Perfect Ground Turkey Spaghetti
- Use high-quality ground turkey. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
- Don’t overcook the ground turkey. This will make it dry and tough.
- Add your favorite vegetables. This is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients and fiber.
- Use a good quality pasta sauce. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread. This is a great way to soak up all of the delicious sauce.
Ground turkey spaghetti is a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whether you choose to make the recipe from The Natural Nurturer or the recipe from Food.com, you’re sure to enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal.
With a little creativity, you can easily customize these recipes to your own liking. So get creative and have fun making ground turkey spaghetti!
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!
EASY SPAGHETTI W/HOMEMADE MEAT SAUCE | GROUND TURKEY RECIPE
FAQ
How many calories in a bowl of spaghetti with ground turkey?
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Calories
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354.7
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Sodium
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958.4 mg
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Potassium
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583.7 mg
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Total Carbohydrate
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33.7 g
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Dietary Fiber
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4.5 g
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How to season the meat for spaghetti?
Is ground turkey healthier than ground beef?
What makes ground turkey juicy?
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 long do you cook a Turkey with spaghetti sauce?
Add garlic and ground turkey to the veggies and cook until turkey is fully cooked through about 10 minutes. 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!
How do you cook ground turkey in a crock pot?
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, break it up, and cook until browned. This should take about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the onions, garlic, red pepper, flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, water, and sugar.
How long does it take to cook a ground turkey?
Cover and cook for a few minutes until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and ground turkey to the veggies and cook until turkey is fully cooked through about 10 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, seasonings and parmesan cheese. Cover and cook over a very low simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.