Turkey Bolognese

Name: Turkey Bolognese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Total time: 4 h
Yield: 18 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 3 pounds ground turkey; 1/3 cup olive oil; 3 medium onions, chopped; 3 large carrots, chopped; 6 celery ribs, chopped; 1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste; 9 garlic cloves, sliced; 3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes; 5 teaspoons kosher salt; 3 teaspoons dried basil; 3 teaspoons dried marjoram; 1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1-1/2 cups dry red wine; 3 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1-1/2 cups chicken broth; 6 bay leaves; 3 cups 2% milk; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Hot cooked linguine or spaghetti

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Cook: 3-1/2 hours

Yield 18 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Turkey Bolognese is a lighter twist on the classic Italian sauce, simmered slowly with ground turkey, vegetables, tomatoes and red wine.

Ingredients

3 pounds ground turkey
1/3 cup olive oil
3 medium onions, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
6 celery ribs, chopped
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
9 garlic cloves, sliced
3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
5 teaspoons kosher salt
3 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoons dried marjoram
1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1-1/2 cups dry red wine
3 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
6 bay leaves
3 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Hot cooked linguine or spaghetti

Directions

In a stockpot, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; set aside.
In the same stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots and celery; cook and stir until tender. Stir in tomato paste; cook and stir 3 minutes longer. Add garlic, seasonings and cooked turkey.
Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is almost evaporated. Add tomatoes, broth and bay leaves; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until desired consistency, about 3 hours, stirring in milk halfway through cooking.
Remove bay leaves. Stir in cheese; heat through. Serve with pasta and, if desired, additional cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 258 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 812mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.

This is the same Bolognese sauce you know and love, but ground turkey makes it a bit lighter. Serve over linguine or spaghetti, and you're set! —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Recipe Creator