Turkey Bolognese with Zucchini (Printable)

Lean ground turkey in rich tomato sauce served atop fresh zucchini noodles for a healthy main dish.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
08 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles

→ Liquids

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tsp dried basil
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes (optional)

18 - Fresh basil leaves, chopped
19 - Grated Parmesan cheese (omit for dairy-free)

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute to release aromas.
05 - Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and add the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens. Remove bay leaf.
07 - Meanwhile, pat zucchini noodles dry with paper towels.
08 - If desired, sauté zucchini noodles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Avoid overcooking.
09 - Divide zucchini noodles into bowls. Top evenly with turkey Bolognese sauce. Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Ready in an hour with a sauce that tastes like it simmered all day.
  • Turkey keeps it lean without sacrificing the deep, rich flavor of a proper Bolognese.
  • Naturally gluten-free and low-carb, so no one has to feel like they're eating differently.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the zucchini noodles dry—this is the difference between tender noodles and a watery, sad plate.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt; the intensity builds during simmering, and every brand of tomato is different.
  • Remove the bay leaf before serving or warn everyone at the table; nobody wants to bite into it accidentally.
03 -
  • Brown the turkey properly before adding the tomatoes; this one step makes the whole sauce taste deeper and more savory.
  • Let the sauce simmer uncovered for the last few minutes if it looks thin; the longer it bubbles, the more the flavors concentrate and meld.

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