Clean Bulk Turkey Bolognese with Whole Wheat Pasta
Clean Bulk Turkey Bolognese with Whole Wheat Pasta
Ingredients
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey, 93% lean or higher
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes, unsalted
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (optional, for a kick)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or penne
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving (optional, measured portion)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the turkey aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 11 min
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen the flavors.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Return the cooked turkey to the pot. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes (or up to 40 minutes for deeper flavor), stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 20 min
- 5
While the sauce simmers, cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Serve the turkey bolognese over the whole wheat pasta. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a measured sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Clean Bulk Turkey Bolognese with Whole Wheat Pasta
Ingredients
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey, 93% lean or higher
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes, unsalted
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, (optional, for a kick)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
For the Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or penne
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving (optional, measured portion)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the turkey aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 11 min - 3
Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen the flavors.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Return the cooked turkey to the pot. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes (or up to 40 minutes for deeper flavor), stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 20 min - 5
While the sauce simmers, cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Serve the turkey bolognese over the whole wheat pasta. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a measured sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min