Easy Healthy Turkey Bolognese

Low in fat, super healthy and full of flavour this easy turkey bolognese sauce is the perfect comfort food and so quick to make too.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Turkey mince is cheaper than beef so this turkey ragu sauce is economical to make.
• My turkey bolognese sauce is low in fat so it is a healthier option than a standard spag bol.
• This turkey bolognese recipe is super easy to make.
• The taste – this quick and easy turkey ragu is super delicious and just packed with flavour.

I love using turkey in recipes, it is a healthy and less expensive alternative to beef and a great vehicle for all sorts of flavours.

I use it in everything from my homemade turkey burgers to Greek-style roast turkey, stir-fries, curries and so much more.

Is this a turkey ragu sauce or a turkey bolognese?

A ragu sauce is traditionally made without garlic and uses less tomatoes than a standard bolognese sauce. So this is a turkey bolognese sauce.

Ingredients for my turkey bolognese

This is not an authentic Italian bolognese recipe. I’m not using any red wine, I’m counting the pennies with this turkey bolognese recipe but not scrimping on flavours.

Turkey mince – You can buy minced/ground turkey in any supermarket. It is low in fat and high in protein so a good choice for days when you are having meat in your diet.

The base – that good old triumvirate of onion, celery and garlic, the Italians call this sofrito and almost all of their amazing dishes start with this vegetable base.

Garlic – for depth of flavour.

Herbs – I’m using rosemary, sage and thyme for my turkey bolognaise sauce. These are fresh herbs, you can certainly use dried herbs instead.

Lemon – zest only for a zing of flavour and freshness.

Worcestershire sauce – A great British favourite that adds a kick to so many dishes.

Tinned tomatoes – I love these tinned cherry tomatoes that you can get in so many supermarkets nowadays. They have great flavour, more so than their standard counterparts unless you are going for the most expensive varieties.

How to make turkey bolognese

First things first, brown the turkey mince in a little olive oil in a hot pan. This will only take a few minutes but really adds to the flavour.

Then tip it out of the pan and set aside while you deal with that all-important sofrito base for your bolognese sauce.

Sofrito

Chop the onion, celery and carrot into similar-sized small pieces. This is so that they will all cook at about the same time and thus save on cooking time and money.

Add a little more oil to the pan you have just browned the turkey mince in and saute the sofrito mix for about five minutes till tender.

Now add the garlic into the pan for just a minute and return the turkey mince to the pan. Add the herbs, lemon zest, tinned tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. Season to taste.

Pop on the lild and simmer your turkey bolognese for about 30 minutes. It will all thicken and come together beautifully.

Check the seasoning to make sure that it is to your liking.

How many does this serve

I made enough turkey bolognese from this recipe to serve 4 people. Just double up the recipe for more portions.

Storage

Your turkey ragu sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. It freezes well for up to 4 months. I pack sauces like this turkey bolognese into freezer-proof bags and lay them flat on a baking tray till frozen flat.

Then I can ‘file’ them in the freezer standing upright in a row to save space. Remember to label things clearly though.

How to serve turkey bolognese

I love to serve this turkey bolognese sauce with standard spaghetti to make a lighter version of classic spaghetti bolognese.

You can serve this turkey ragu sauce with any other pasta or with couscous or rice on the side.

It also works well if you are making a lasagne, use this instead of the standard meat mixture.

Why not stuff a baked potato with your turkey ragu sauce, it’s delicious and makes an easy hearty meal.

Looking for more tasty easy main meals to make any night of the week? Then check these out before you go;

One-pan lamb meatball curry

Pasta alla Norma (aubergine/eggplant pasta)

The easiest vegetarian lasagne

Sweet and sour pork meatballs with marmalade glaze

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.