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Spaghetti noodles topped with homemade spaghetti sauce made with ground turkey, chunky tomato meat sauce, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves. Served on a white plate on a rustic wooden table with a neutral cloth napkin.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With Ground Turkey

Nesting Lane
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With Ground Turkey is a classic Italian dinner made with ground turkey, tomatoes, and herbs served over tender pasta for a hearty family meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Equipment

Medium Pot
Large Skillet
Medium Saucepan
Colander
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cup
Wooden Spoon

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Coat a medium pot with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring sometimes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and crushed red pepper if using. Bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer uncovered for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain in a colander and keep warm.
  • Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat.
  • Add the ground turkey and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring and breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink.
  • Stir the cooked turkey into the tomato sauce and cook together for 5 minutes.
  • Serve the sauce over the spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan-Romano cheese.

Notes

Serving Size: 1 Cup Pasta and 1 Cup Meat Sauce

Sauce Consistency

If the sauce becomes too thick while simmering, add a splash of water to thin it.

Pasta Timing

Start cooking the spaghetti when the sauce is nearly ready so the pasta doesn’t sit too long before serving.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground Turkey

You can swap in lean ground beef or ground chicken if preferred.

Dried Herbs

Fresh basil or oregano can replace dried herbs; just double the amount for the same flavor.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring often, until warmed through. The sauce also freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 27gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 519mgPotassium: 678mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 551IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 3mg
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