Description
This hearty ground turkey spaghetti sauce is rich, flavorful, and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Lean turkey, marinara, and Italian herbs come together in a simple yet satisfying pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 preferred)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces dry spaghetti noodles
- Salt, to taste
- Chopped fresh basil, for serving
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and cook until browned and crumbled.
- Add the diced onion and cook until softened and lightly browned.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the Italian seasoning and stir well.
- Pour in the red wine vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add the chicken broth, marinara sauce, optional sugar, and black pepper to taste. Stir until combined.
- Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti noodles in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente.
- Transfer the cooked noodles directly into the sauce without fully draining.
- Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to the skillet and toss everything together until the sauce coats the noodles.
- Let the pasta sit for 3 to 5 minutes to absorb the sauce.
- Serve warm topped with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti if preferred.
- The sugar helps balance acidity in the marinara sauce but can be omitted.
- Reserve pasta water to help emulsify the sauce and improve texture.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Serve with garlic bread or a green salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
