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Turkey Bolognese

Savory Turkey Bolognese: One-Pot Comfort for Busy Nights

This Turkey Bolognese is a one-pot dish that combines ground turkey and tomato sauce, perfect for busy nights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Turkey or ground bison/lean beef
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil or substitute with another cooking oil
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion or shallots for a milder taste
  • 1 medium Carrot or bell peppers for a twist
  • 1 celery stalk Celery can be omitted or replaced with more carrots
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste or a tangy red sauce if unavailable
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 28 oz Canned Crushed Tomatoes preferably high-quality
  • 1 cup Chicken Bone Broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
  • 1 tablespoon Calabrian Chili Paste optional
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Uncooked Mezze Rigatoni or fusilli/gluten-free pasta
For Serving
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese or vegan cheese
  • ¼ cup Fresh Basil or parsley
  • ½ cup Ricotta optional

Equipment

  • large deep skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Turkey Bolognese
  1. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and spray with extra virgin olive oil. Add ground turkey, seasoning it with kosher salt, and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned. Transfer to a bowl, leaving juices in the skillet.
  2. In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed, then sauté diced onion, chopped carrot, and celery over medium heat for about 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 2–3 minutes to boost flavors.
  4. Return browned turkey to the skillet, add uncooked mezze rigatoni, crushed tomatoes, and chicken bone broth. Stir to combine, ensuring pasta is submerged.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. After cooking, remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  7. Serve in bowls, garnishing with additional Parmesan, fresh basil, and a dollop of ricotta if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 37.5gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, use fresh ingredients and adjust consistency with more broth or water if needed. Meal prep is recommended for convenience.

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