This is my go-to weeknight Turkey Bolognese when I need a quick meal in around 30 minutes. It’s not a traditional bolognese but it’s still delicious and the perfect weeknight dinner.
My Go-To Weeknight Turkey Bolognese
There are a few recipes that I make all of the time and this easy (and quick!) turkey bolognese recipe is one of them! Don’t get me wrong, I love a more traditional bolognese that simmers all day but this is my quicker weeknight version.
While it may take less time than the classic, this bolognese is not missing any flavor. It also packs in a few more veggies, takes around 30 minutes to make, and uses lots of pantry and staple fridge ingredients.
This is one of those delicious and comforting recipes that always hits the spot and everyone loves!
More Reader Favorite Pasta Recipes
- Cheesy One Skillet Baked Italian Meatballs
- Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
- Healthy Baked Ziti
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Bolognese Ingredients
Veggies and Aromatics: we’re using the traditional celery, onion, and carrot but also adding in some mushrooms and bell pepper for extra veggies.
Ground Turkey: I prefer to use dark ground turkey because it’s bit richer than ground turkey breast.
Herbs and Spices: dried herbs like Italian seasoning and bay leaves give this quick sauce lots of flavor. You’ll also need some fresh parsley for serving.
Balsamic Vinegar: speaking of flavor, this adds just the right balance to the sauce.
Peeled Tomatoes: last, but certainly not least, you’ll need a 28 ounce can of peeled tomatoes.
Grated Parmesan: don’t forget to grab plenty of parmesan to sprinkle on top of your bolognese before serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Turkey: swap the ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer! You could also use half ground beef and half ground pork if you like.
- Peeled Tomatoes: if you prefer you can swap the peeled tomatoes for a jar of your favorite marinara.
- Veggies: feel free leave out some of the veggies or add in a few more of your favorite. I love to stir a bit of chopped spinach into the sauce at the very end.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Make This Turkey Bolognese Recipe
Step One: Heat a large dish with lid over medium high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and then add the diced mushrooms. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms become golden brown.
Step Two: Next, add the onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the onion starts to become translucent.
Step Three: Next, add ground turkey and brown, breaking it up as it cooks. While the ground turkey is browning, season the meet with the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Step Four: Once the ground turkey has browned, add the peeled tomatoes to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break down the tomatoes in the pan into smaller pieces. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir until everything is well combined.
Step Five: Lower the heat to medium low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes covered. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper before serving over pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
How to Serve
You can serve this bolognese sauce a variety of ways! Here are few of my favorite ways to serve:
- perfect al dente pasta (my favorite choices are spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni)
- pillowy, fluffy gnocchi
- red lentil or chickpea pasta for extra protein
- spaghetti squash noodles
- zucchini noodles
How to Store and Reheat
Store: store the Bolognese sauce in an air-tight container in the fridge. For the best results I recommend storing the bolognese sauce separate from the pasta. The sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: you can reheat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave. For the stovetop, simmer the sauce over medium-low heat until everything is heated through. For the microwave, heat the sauce for one minute at a time until heated through.
How to Freeze the Sauce
You can freeze the bolognese in a freezer safe storage container for up to 2 months. When you are ready to eat, defrost in the fridge before reheating on the stove top or in the microwave.
More Delicious Weeknight Recipes
- Easy Taco Bowls
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Ground Turkey Tacos
- Maple Glazed Salmon
I hope you give this Turkey Bolognese recipe a try! It’s flavorful, quick, and the perfect weeknight dinner!
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Print
30 Minute Turkey Bolognese
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup baby Bella mushrooms, diced
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 – 28 oz can peeled tomatoes
For Serving
- pasta
- grated parmesan cheese
- chopped parsley
Method
- Heat a large dish with lid over medium high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and then add the diced mushrooms. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms become golden brown.
- Next, add the onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the onion starts to become translucent.
- Next, add ground turkey and brown, breaking it up as it cooks. While the ground turkey is browning, season the meet with the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Once the ground turkey has browned, add the peeled tomatoes to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break down the tomatoes in the pan into smaller pieces. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir until everything is well combined.
- Lower the heat to medium low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes covered. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper before serving over pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eat
