This Amazing Ground Turkey Tomato Sauce recipe is a wholesome and flavorful twist on the classic pasta sauce. Made with lean ground turkey, a variety of vegetables, herbs, and aromatic spices, this sauce is perfect for any pasta dish or as a topping for homemade pizza. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes, it is a quick and simple recipe that is also a great option for meal prepping. The combination of ingredients creates a rich and hearty sauce that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Push the vegetables to the side and add the ground turkey to the center of the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, bay leaf, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the bay leaf and discard. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the ground turkey tomato sauce over cooked pasta or use as a pizza topping. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Ground turkey is a lean and healthy alternative to ground beef. It is low in fat and calories but packed with protein.
This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for future use. It reheats well and can be used in a variety of dishes.
The combination of vegetables in this sauce adds extra nutrition and flavor. Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for more variety.
The dried herbs in this recipe can be substituted with fresh herbs for a more aromatic flavor.
This recipe is versatile and can be customized to suit your taste. Add more spices or herbs for a bolder flavor, or adjust the amount of red pepper flakes for heat.
Leftover sauce can be used as a filling for stuffed bell peppers or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Serve this ground turkey tomato sauce alongside a fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.