Name: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With Ground Turkey
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 25 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1lb ground turkey (or ground chicken or beef); ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded; 1 celery stalk, finely diced; 1 medium red or green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced; 5-6 garlic cloves, minced or pressed; 1½ teaspoons dried oregano; 1½ teaspoons dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon dried red chili flakes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; ½ cup dry red or white wine (optional); 2 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or 1 tablespoon of butter); ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley or basil leaves

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This homemade turkey spaghetti sauce is a cozy and hearty meal the whole family will love. Gound turkey is simmered with onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper, garlic, Italian herbs, and canned tomatoes until the flavors meld into a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy it with spaghetti noodles and a sprinkle of parmesan for the perfect weeknight dinner.

homemade spaghetti sauce with ground turkey

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Spaghetti Sauce

Packed with flavor. Simmering whole peeled tomatoes and fresh herbs with garlic and veggies delivers vibrant flavors in every bite.

Healthy, but still delicious. Ground turkey is leaner than ground beef. It’s a lighter option without sacrificing the comforting and meaty texture of traditional spaghetti sauce.

Perfect for meal prep. It tastes great as leftovers you can enjoy throughout the week, or you can freeze it for an easy dinner later.

Family-friendly. Both kids and adults love this tasty spaghetti sauce.

Better than jarred sauce. Simmering the fresh ingredients on the stove gives this homemade sauce a brighter and deeper flavor profile without needing the extra sugar found in jarred options.

Turkey Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil: This adds richness to the sauce, which is nice because we’re using lean ground turkey.

Ground turkey: I use extra lean ground turkey. If you want more flavor, you can use a mix of dark and lean ground turkey.

Onion, carrots, and celery: The combination of onions, carrots, and celery is known as an Italian soffritto, which is the foundational aromatic blend that makes the spaghetti sauce taste richer and more complex.

Bell pepper: I like adding a bell pepper to the sauce to pack in more veggies. Use green bell pepper if you want a more savory flavor, or red if you prefer a little natural sweetness.

Seasoning: I use oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. These are classic Italian herbs that complement the ground turkey and tomato base.

Garlic: Fresh garlic is the best way to add bold and savory flavor to the sauce.

Tomato paste: A little tomato paste gives the turkey spaghetti sauce a deeper and richer tomato flavor. It also creates a thick and hearty consistency.

Wine: Adding a splash of wine to the sauce adds a beautiful depth of flavor, which helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Whole peeled tomatoes: I use canned Italian whole-peeled tomatoes for this sauce because it adds a fresh and bright taste. I like to crush them by hand in a bowl or using a traditional blender.

Balsamic vinegar: This adds a tangy sweetness to the spaghetti sauce with the need for sugar.

Heavy cream: A splash of heavy cream (35%) softens the acidity of the tomatoes while adding a little creaminess. You can unsalted butter if you prefer.

Fresh herbs: Fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley adds a bright and fragrant flavor. It helps balance the richness of the sauce.

Why ground turkey works so well in spaghetti sauce

Ground turkey is an excellent choice for spaghetti sauce because it’s lean and takes on the flavors of the tomatoes, garlic, Italian herbs, and sauteed vegetables.

When browned properly, the ground turkey stays tender and adds plenty of protein without making the dish feel heavy.

Using ground turkey is an easy way to create a hearty and satisfying sauce that has all the meaty texture you crave in a classic spaghetti dinner.

How to make ground turkey spaghetti sauce

Add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to the pot over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and nicely browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the pan.

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and bell pepper to the pan. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until tender, stirring often.

Meanwhile, add the cans of whole peeled tomatoes and their juices to a large bowl or traditional blender. Use your hands to crush the tomatoes or puree in the blender.

Add the garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, and red chili flakes to the pot. Let cook for 30 to 60 seconds.

Add the tomato paste and red or white wine (if using), scrapping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let cook until most of the wine has evaporated, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, balsamic vinegar, and cooked turkey to the pot. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

The sauce will reduce and thicken. If it gets too thick for your liking, cover the pot with a lid during the last 15 – 30 minutes of cooking.

Stir in the heavy cream and fresh parsley or basil. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

What to serve with homemade spaghetti sauce?

We like to serve this homemade turkey spaghetti sauce over spaghetti noodles. Or you can use it to make lasagna or lasagna roll ups.

Below are some delicious sides that pair well with spaghetti:

Bread – Garlic bread, Italian loaf, garlic knots, bruschetta, garlic breadsticks, or focaccia.

Salad – Italian chopped salad, simple green salad, fresh garden salad, arugula salad with Italian croutons, arugula tomato salad.

Vegetables – Roasted veggies, sauteed spinach, or steamed green beans.

Make Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Can you make turkey spaghetti sauce ahead of time? Yes! This turkey spaghetti sauce is an excellent make-ahead meal.

Prepare the sauce, then let it cool, and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

How to store leftover spaghetti sauce: Let the sauce cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze turkey spaghetti sauce? Yes! Prepare the sauce, then let it cool, and store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

How to reheat turkey spaghetti sauce: Gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to help thin the sauce if it gets too thick in the refrigerator.

If reheating from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat it on the stovetop.

More cozy ground turkey recipes:

Please let me know how you like this homemade spaghetti sauce recipe in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love this spaghetti sauce as much as I do.