is ground turkey good in spaghetti

Ground Turkey Spaghetti Recipe – The most easy and delicious Turkey Spaghetti using simple ingredients you have in your fridge/pantry. Done in under 30 minutes, we make this recipe at least one night a week! This is seriously the best spaghetti meat sauce recipe.

Spaghetti meat sauce made with ground turkey, Italian seasonings, garlic, onion and carrot simmered in tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Turkey Spaghetti is not only delicious but it is healthier than traditional meat sauces that use sausage or ground beef.

This has become my FAVORITE way to make homemade spaghetti meat sauce. From start to finish this sauce only takes about 25 minutes to make, getting dinner on the table fast!

This recipe will serve about 4-6 people depending on everyones appetite. If you are cooking for a larger crowd, simply double the recipe.

Turkey spaghetti also makes amazing leftovers! You can store your leftovers in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Is Ground Turkey Good in Spaghetti?

Spaghetti is a versatile pasta that can be paired with all kinds of sauces and meats One meat option that is becoming increasingly popular is ground turkey, But is ground turkey actually good in spaghetti? The short answer is yes – ground turkey makes an excellent addition to spaghetti for a number of reasons,

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why ground turkey works so well in spaghetti, as well as how to cook it and some recipe ideas to get you started.

Why Use Ground Turkey in Spaghetti?

There are several benefits to using ground turkey instead of a more traditional meat like ground beef or Italian sausage in your spaghetti

Healthier – Ground turkey tends to be leaner than ground beef or sausage. An 85% lean turkey will have fewer calories, less saturated fat, and less cholesterol than ground beef or sausage. This makes turkey spaghetti a healthier choice.

More Flavorful – You may be surprised to find that ground turkey has plenty of flavor on its own When paired with a bold tomato or marinara sauce, herbs and spices, the turkey becomes very flavorful. It also nicely absorbs the other flavors.

Tender and Juicy – When cooked properly, ground turkey can be tender and moist. Sauteeing the turkey before simmering it in sauce helps render out fat and liquids that keep the meat from drying out.

Subtle Flavor – Unlike some sausage and beef that can overpower more delicate ingredients, turkey has a milder flavor. This allows the other ingredients like garlic, onion, herbs, and tomato to shine.

Budget-Friendly – Ground turkey tends to cost less than ground beef or sausage, making turkey spaghetti an affordable dinner option.

How to Cook Ground Turkey for Spaghetti

To get the best texture and flavor out of your ground turkey, follow these simple tips:

  • Use 85-90% Lean – Ground turkey labeled 85-90% lean has the right ratio of fat to lean meat for good moisture and flavor. Avoid extra lean turkey which can turn dried out.

  • Cook in Batches – Cooking the turkey in small batches helps render out fat and liquid, leading to nicely browned turkey. Don’t crowd the pan.

  • Season Well – Sprinkling the raw turkey with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder, etc helps bump up the flavor. Let the seasoned turkey sit for 10 minutes before cooking.

  • Saute Then Simmer – Get a nice sear on the turkey, then add marinara sauce and let it simmer to tenderize.

  • Don’t Overcook – Once the turkey is no longer pink inside, it only needs a few more minutes. Overcooked turkey will be dry.

  • Rest Before Serving – Let the cooked turkey sauce sit for 5 minutes before tossing with pasta. This allows flavors to meld.

Ground Turkey Spaghetti Recipes

Now that you know how well ground turkey works in spaghetti, here are some tasty recipe ideas to try:

Simple 6 Ingredient Turkey Spaghetti – This easy turkey spaghetti uses just a few staple ingredients like onion, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning for a quick 30-minute dinner.

Creamy Turkey Spaghetti Squash – For a lower carb option, bake spaghetti squash and top with a creamy garlic turkey bolognese.

Turkey Meatball Spaghetti – Make your own turkey meatballs to simmer in marinara sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Turkey Bolognese Spaghetti – A lighter take on a classic bolognese sauce made with ground turkey, red wine, carrots, and tomato paste.

Southwest Turkey Spaghetti – For a fun twist, add taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and cilantro to the turkey and tomato sauce.

Turkey Spaghetti Pie – Cooked turkey spaghetti baked in a pie crust for a fun one-dish dinner.

Buffalo Turkey Spaghetti – Toss cooked turkey spaghetti with buffalo style hot sauce and serve with celery and blue cheese.

As you can see, ground turkey is extremely versatile in spaghetti dishes. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or a fun creative recipe, ground turkey is a smart choice. Not only is it tasty, but it packs more nutrition compared to fattier meats.

The key is to season the turkey well, saute and simmer it properly, and not overcook. This helps bring out the best flavor and texture. Turkey spaghetti is a nutritious crowd-pleaser that feels like a treat but doesn’t weigh you down – a winning combination!

is ground turkey good in spaghetti

How to make the best Turkey Spaghetti:

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot and onion to the pan. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over veggies. Cover and cook for a few minutes until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.

Add garlic and ground turkey to the veggies and cook until turkey is fully cooked through about 10 minutes.

Stir in tomato sauce, seasonings and parmesan cheese. Cover and cook over a very low simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve Turkey Spaghetti Sauce over cooked spaghetti! Enjoy!

Ingredients you need to make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce:

Ground Turkey – Youll need one pound of ground turkey. I used 90/10 fat ratio but you can also use 85/15. You can also use ground beef or ground Italian sausage in this recipe.

Tomato Sauce – Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes both work great in this recipe. I used two 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce but you can also use one large 28 ounce can.

Onion – Yellow, white or red onion all work great.

Garlic – Fresh garlic is best.

Carrot – Youll need a half ¼ cup of grated carrot in this recipe which is equivalent to about 1 large carrot. Carrot adds a delicious hearty flavor to the sauce, so i dont recommend skipping this ingredient.

Seasonings: Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Dried Parsley.

Spaghetti – Regular spaghetti, thin spaghetti, angel hair pasta or any short cut pasta is fine! I used thin spaghetti in this recipe.

Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a delicious flavor to the sauce! If you dont have balsamic vinegar, thats ok you can substitute for red wine or skip this ingredient all together.

Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is best but you can use pre-shredded as well!

Olive Oil – Olive oil is best but you can also use avocado oil or butter in this recipe.

is ground turkey good in spaghetti

EASY SPAGHETTI W/HOMEMADE MEAT SAUCE | GROUND TURKEY RECIPE

FAQ

Can I substitute ground turkey for ground beef?

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

What is ground turkey good for?

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you’re interested in weight loss.

Is turkey spaghetti healthier?

You’re probably used to a meat sauce based in ground beef or ground sausage. We’ve replaced the beef and pork options with turkey here for a lighter protein that’s typically lower in fat and higher in vitamins and nutrients.

Is it safe to mix ground turkey with ground beef?

Of course you can! The question is would it be tasty? Ground turkey tends to be dry. I would use a slightly fattier ground beef to lend some fat to the ground turkey.

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