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Pot of homemade healthy turkey bolognese
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5 from 6 votes

Weeknight Healthy Turkey Bolognese

The list looks long but really it's just layers of delicious flavors in ONE pot that come together easily to create the most delicious and comforting pot of HEALTHY, lean, turkey bolognese.  Such a classic favorite in our home.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Bolognese
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: bolognese, carrots, celery, meat, onion, pasta, san marzano, sauce, tomatoes, turkey, wine
Servings: 12
Calories: 175kcal
Author: Lillie

Ingredients

  • Olive oil/cooking spray
  • 1 onion diced 300 g
  • 4 carrots chopped small 190 g
  • 4 stalks celery chopped 150 g
  • 1 tbs kosher salt
  • A few grinds of fresh ground pepper
  • 2 tbs 30 g tomato paste (I love the tube from Trader Joe's for easy storage!)
  • 1.6 lb 93/7 ground turkey I use one package of the foster farms from Costco- hence the random amount- anything close to this is fine.
  • 1 lb extra lean 99/1 ground turkey I use Jenni O
  • 1 cup red or white wine I just use cheap red cooking wine! But feel free to use something nicer.
  • 8 frozen dorot cubes or fresh minced cloves
  • 2 -28 oz cans of San Marzano tomatoes I get mine from Trader Joe's- PULSED* in a blender
  • 1 tbs dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Heat large heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Spray with olive oil cooking spray.  Add onions, carrots, celery, and kosher salt/pepper to the pot and saute for 5-10 minutes until soft and caramelized.  Add tomato paste and cook for another minute.
  • Add ground turkey, breaking into pieces and brown for another 10 minutes or so until cooked through. Add wine and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to deglaze any bits on the pan. Add garlic and sautee for another minute or two.
  • Add the smooth PULSED canned tomatoes, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Gently simmer for about 40 minutes.  Pile on pasta or spaghetti squash for the most classic, comforting weeknight meal!

Notes

  • I really think the San Marzano tomatoes have the most amazing quality and flavor, but of course you can use another brand. I get mine from Trader Joe's. I already believed these were best from things I'd read, but after our trip to Italy in 2016 where we had the best pizza of our lives in Naples... it was confirmed. It's all about the San Marzano tomatoes they grow in the rich volcanic soil out there.
  • PULSE the tomatoes in a blender or food processor but don't go crazy. You don't want it to get all frothy. Just smooth.