This simple ground turkey spaghetti sauce is an easy way to add extra vegetables to your pasta dinner. It’s packed with finely chopped veggies, simmered with Italian seasonings and just the right amount of garlic. Freezer-friendly and even better the next day, this sauce makes great leftovers.
When spaghetti is the answer to “What’s for dinner?” it usually ends with happy faces all around. This ground turkey spaghetti sauce is a flavorful, family-friendly way to sneak in extra vegetables without compromise.
For cooks who like using ground turkey, this sauce pairs well with other ground turkey recipes such as one-pot stroganoff, teriyaki stir-fry, spinach-feta meatballs, turkey rice bowls, and spinach-feta turkey burgers.
Why We Love This Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Veggie packed. The vegetables are finely diced so they blend into the sauce and into the pasta, making this an easy, kid-friendly way to add nutrients. The texture and flavor of the sauce pair well with cheese and any shape of pasta.
Great for little helpers. Chopping and prepping vegetables is a simple task kids can help with, and getting them involved often increases their willingness to try new foods.
Leftovers improve with time. This sauce tastes even better after resting a day, when the flavors have time to meld. That makes it ideal for meal prep.
Freezer friendly. Make a double batch and freeze portions for quick meals on busy nights.
Ingredient Notes
- Tomato sauce vs. marinara: Tomato sauce has a smoother, more basic canned-tomato flavor and is typically found near diced tomatoes and tomato paste in the grocery aisle.
- Ground turkey choice: I prefer a slightly less-lean ground turkey (around 85/15) for better flavor and moisture. Ground chicken can be substituted if desired.
- Veggie options: This recipe is designed to be veggie-forward—dice vegetables small so they blend into the sauce. Mushrooms are an excellent optional addition.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot until shimmering. Add diced onion, bell peppers and finely chopped carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3–5 minutes to slightly soften the vegetables.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey and break it into small pieces, stirring to combine with the softened vegetables.
Step 3: Cook the turkey until browned and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature). Ground turkey generally produces little grease, so draining is usually unnecessary.
Step 4: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. If the sauce bubbles vigorously, lower the heat. Carrots are a good indicator—when they’re tender, the sauce is ready.
Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta. If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in an additional tablespoon or two of tomato paste and simmer a few minutes longer.
Notes and Tips
- Watch the carrots: They typically take the longest to soften, so use them to judge doneness. Sautéing them a few extra minutes at the start speeds overall cooking time.
- Make ahead: The sauce often tastes better after 24 hours, so consider preparing it a day in advance.
- Freezing: Cool completely and store in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Properly sealed, the sauce will keep for several months.
- Leftovers: This sauce reheats well and can be enjoyed over several days.
Other Ground Turkey recipes
- Ground Turkey Enchiladas with Sweet Potatoes
- Ground Turkey Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
- Simple Turkey Pepper Skillet
- Easy Turkey Chili
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Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 carrots, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ Tbsp dried oregano
- ½ Tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp sea salt, more to taste
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ¼-½ tsp red pepper, optional
Instructions
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Heat olive oil over medium-high heat until glistening in a large pot. Add the carrots, bell peppers and onion and cook for about 3–5 minutes to soften slightly. Add in the ground turkey and cook until browned and cooked through.
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Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt and peppers and stir to combine. Shift the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes until veggies are softened and sauce has thickened slightly.
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Adjust seasoning to taste and serve over your favorite pasta. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze in freezer-safe containers for longer storage.
Notes
- Use the carrots to gauge readiness. They usually need the most time to soften; sautéing them a bit longer at the start can speed the process.
- Leftovers improve with time. After about 24 hours, the flavors meld and the sauce tastes even better.
- Make ahead. Prepare the sauce a day in advance to maximize flavor and save time on mealtime.
- Freezer friendly. Seal in airtight, freezer-safe containers; stored properly it will keep for several months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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