Turkey Bolognese with Zucchini (Printable)
Savory turkey sauce cooked with herbs, served on fresh, tender zucchini noodles for a satisfying low-carb dish.
# What You Need:
→ 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 can 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
# Steps:
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. 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.
06 - Serve zucchini noodles topped with turkey Bolognese sauce. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- You get all the comfort of a Sunday sauce without the carb crash afterward
- The ground turkey creates a lighter sauce that still feels incredibly satisfying
02 -
- Zucchini releases water as it cooks, so dont skip the step of sautéing the noodles separately
- The sauce needs that longer simmer time to develop depth, so dont rush this part
03 -
- Dont overcook the zucchini noodles or theyll turn mushy and watery
- Use a box grater to make zucchini ribbons if you dont have spiralizing equipment