Turkey Bolognese with Pasta
with green beans
Our version of the classic Italian meat-based red sauce is lighter than the original thanks to the use of ground turkey. The result is still a classic, comforting sauce that is great over pasta with a bit of fresh grated parmesan cheese on top.
Smarts: This recipe makes a double batch of bolognese. Reserve half to use in Thursday's meal or freeze it for another use.
Ingredients
- Carrots - 8 oz, diced
- Onions, medium - 1, chopped
- Garlic - 4 cloves, chopped
- Turkey, ground - 2 lbs
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Oregano, dried - 1 tsp
- Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
- Red pepper flakes - 1/4 tsp
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Thyme, fresh leaves - 2 tsp
- Tomato sauce - 4 cups
- Sugar - 1/2 tsp
- Pasta, rigatoni - 10 oz (sub any pasta shape)
- Turkey Bolognese (ingredients listed separately) - ~3 cups
- Cheese, parmesan (opt) - 2 oz, grated
- Green beans - 1 lb, trimmed
- Lemon juice - 2 tsp
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Carrots / Onions / Garlic / Green beans - Prep as directed. Combine carrots and onions in one container. Store garlic in a second container. Keep green beans separate. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Season turkey - Combine turkey with salt, oregano, black pepper and red pepper flakes. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
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Make
- Bring a stock pot of salted water to boil.
- While waiting for the water to boil, heat a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add oil and then carrots and onions to heated oil. Saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and thyme leaves and saute for 1 minute more.
- Add seasoned turkey to aromatics. Break up with a wooden spoon and brown for ~5 minutes.
- Add in tomato sauce and sugar. Bring sauce to a simmer and then reduce heat and allow to continue cooking for ~10 minutes to let the flavors develop. Taste and season with some salt and pepper.
- While sauce simmers, add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, tender but not soggy. Drain and set aside.
- Place green beans in a microwave safe container. Add 1 Tbsp / 15ml (for 4 servings; adjust if customizing) of water and sprinkle with some salt. Cover with a lid or damp paper towel and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on thickness of green beans.
- Squeeze lemon juice over green beans and season them with some salt.
- Reserve half the bolognese for Thursday’s meal.
- Spoon remaining bolognese over pasta and grate cheese on top. Enjoy with green beans on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
Most Helpful
We liked this more than expected, and I liked it even more when the leftovers were used in the tamale pie - both so yummy!
1 Helpful47 reviews
This recipe was good, doubles easily, but nothing special. However, increased the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon and it added a just a little kick of heat; which was good. Omitted the pasta and added 1lb cremini mushrooms and garbanzo beans to bulk up the recipe. This was to bulk up the recipe in order for it be served as a one dish stew, rather then over pasta.
0 HelpfulThis recipe came out really good. The only thing that I'd add is that you could probably make it with less tomato sauce. Also, it was confusing to see that it would make a double batch of the sauce, but then only 2 servings of pasta
0 HelpfulI substituted hamburger for the turkey because it was on sale. This was absolutely delicious!
0 Helpful