Turkey Bolognese with Zucchini (Print Version)
Ground turkey sauce with aromatic herbs paired with sautéed zucchini noodles, perfect for a low-carb dinner.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Turkey Bolognese Sauce
01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 1.1 lb ground turkey
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 14 oz crushed tomatoes
12 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
→ Zucchini Noodles
15 - 4 medium zucchini
16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
17 - Salt and pepper
# Directions:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
03 - Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to develop flavor.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let sauce simmer gently for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
05 - Spiralize zucchini to create noodles.
06 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini noodles and sauté for 2–3 minutes until just tender. Season with salt and pepper.
07 - Serve zucchini noodles topped with turkey Bolognese sauce. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get all the rich comfort of Bolognese without the heavy pasta coma afterward
- The sauce freezes beautifully, so you're always 20 minutes away from a satisfying meal
02 -
- Overcooking the zucchini turns them into watery disappointment, watch them like a hawk
- The sauce needs that low, slow simmer to develop the complexity that makes it special
03 -
- San Marzano tomatoes make a noticeable difference in the final sauce
- Grate some parmesan over the top if you're not doing strictly dairy-free