Name: Weeknight Turkey Meat Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 yellow onions (diced (about 2 cups)); 2 carrots (shredded (about 3 cups)); 1 medium zucchini (shredded (about 3 cups)); 4-6 cloves garlic (minced (about 2 tbsp)); 1 lb ground turkey; 28 oz can crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 2 tsp fine sea salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

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Shhh... This satisfying Turkey Spaghetti Sauce is mostly vegetables!

Ready in under an hour, this wholesome sauce is made mostly hands off and tastes great on pasta, zoodles, and more. Or use it to make a lasagna, baked pasta or even sandwiches.

The Ingredients

Ground Turkey- This recipe can also be made with ground beef or chicken.
Yellow Onions- Red onion will also work.
Carrots and Zucchini- I most often make this recipe with about 6 cups of shredded carrots and zucchini. However, the vegetables in this recipe are pretty flexible! See my notes below for ideas to make it your own and to use what you have on hand.
Garlic- 1 tablespoon of ground garlic can be used if needed.
Crushed Tomatoes
Balsamic Vinegar- I accidentally left this out once and the sauce still turned out pretty good! So you can omit it if needed.
Olive Oil- Another neutral cooking oil such as avocado oil will also work.
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Oregano
Thyme- If you would like, you can use 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped thyme instead.
Red Pepper Flakes

The Method

1. Saute onions and vegetables. Heat the olive oil and cook the onions and vegetables over medium until they are nearly softened. Stir in the garlic.

2. Brown turkey. Add the turkey to the pot of vegetables and stir often to break it up, until it is fully cooked through.

3. Stir in seasonings, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.

Tomatoes and seasonings added to pot with turkey and vegetables.

4. Simmer. The longer the sauce simmers, the better the flavour! If you can, I recommend allowing it to simmer for at least 30 minutes. However, you can eat it as soon as the tomatoes are heated through (about 10 minutes), if you are in a hurry!

All of the ingredients mixed together and simmering.

5. Serve!

Leftovers and Storage

Make Ahead: This sauce can definitely be made ahead. You can prepare the sauce one day ahead up to the simmering step. Cover and store in the refrigerator.

Complete in a Slow Cooker: Transfer the sauce to the pot of a slow cooker and then heat in the slow cooker on low for up to 8 hours.

Complete on the Stove Top: Heat the sauce in a pot over medium heat for 30-45 minutes.

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Leftovers freeze very well so this a great recipe for making a double batch to meal prep!

To Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through.

Make it Your Own

Change up the vegetables:
- Add more: You can add 4-6 cups of additional vegetables if you would like. The following would all be tasty options!
  - Spinach
  - Mushrooms
  - Bell Peppers
  - Celery
- Use Different: If you want to use another vegetable instead of carrots and zucchini, you definitely can. See the list above for some ideas.
- Substitute Frozen: When I want to make this recipe extra quick, I will sometimes you a bagged (750 g) frozen blend of chopped vegetables. Usually it is a mixture of onions, carrots, celery and peppers. You can cook them right from frozen but the first step will take 5-10 additional minutes.
- Chop them: You can use chopped vegetables instead of shredded if you want a chunkier sauce.

Serving Ideas

Enjoy this sauce on:
- Pasta
- Zucchini noodles
- Spaghetti Squash
- Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Vegetables
Top it with:
- Freshly grated Parmesan
- Chopped fresh herbs
Have it alongside:
- Garlic Toast
- Honey Oat Bread
- Mediterranean Salad
- Caesar Salad
Use it to make:
- Lasagna
- Baked Pasta
- Sandwiches

Parmesan grated onto a bowl of pasta with turkey spaghetti sauce.

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Recipe Card

Pasta in a bowl topped with tomato turkey meat sauce.

Weeknight Turkey Meat Sauce

This easy sauce is packed with vegetables yet so delicious! Enjoy it on its own, with pasta, use it in lasagna and more.

5 from 19 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 50

Total Time: 1

Servings: 6

Calories: 186kcal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 yellow onions diced (about 2 cups)
2 carrots shredded (about 3 cups)
1 medium zucchini shredded (about 3 cups)
4-6 cloves garlic minced (about 2 tbsp)
1 lb ground turkey
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, onions and vegetables and saute until nearly softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 additional minute.
Add the ground turkey and stir often, breaking up into small chunks, until browned, about 6-7 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar and seasonings. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve.

Notes

Leftovers

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

More Meal Ideas!

Comments

5 from 19 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Easy Weeknight Turkey Spaghetti Sauce