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–+ servings
Overhead close-up view of a big bowl of turkey spaghetti with basil.

Turkey Spaghetti

easyhealthyrecipes.com/turkey-spaghetti/
A quick and easy Italian dinner recipe that uses a meat sauce based in marinara and ground turkey rather than ground beef or pork.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Recipe makes approximately 6 servings

Equipment Needed

  • large skillet with high sides
  • spatula or wooden spoon
  • Large pot
  • slotted spoon

Ingredients Needed

For the Turkey Marinara

  • 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)

For the Spaghetti

  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti noodles (see Notes)
  • salt (to taste)

Serving Suggestions (All Optional)

  • chopped fresh basil
  • freshly grated parmesan cheesee

Instructions

  • Heat large skillet over medium heat, then pour in olive oil. When oil is hot and shimmery, add ground turkey and cook until browned and crumbled.
    Overhead photo of ground turkey crumbled in large skillet, on a white background.
  • Add onion to skillet and cook until onions begin to brown, then add minced garlic and cook 1 additional minute. Add Italian seasoning and cook until fragrant.
  • Pour in red wine vinegar to deglaze pan, making sure to scrape up anything that might be stuck to bottom of skillet.
  • Add in chicken broth, marinara sauce, sugar (if using), and pepper to taste. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined. Simmer over medium heat until sauce thickens, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
    Overhead view of ground turkey and spaghetti sauce in a large skillet on a white background.
  • While sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in large pot according to package instructions.
    Cooked spaghetti noodles in a large silver pot, with a spoonful of noodles being held up with a wooden spoon.
  • Once noodles reach "al dente", transfer noodles directly to skillet without draining first. Take ½ cup of pasta water from pot and pour in to skillet. Stir well to incorporate noodles and water into sauce, then let sit 3 to 5 minutes.
    Overhead view of turkey spaghetti with red sauce in a large skillet on a white background.
  • Once pasta has absorbed sauce somewhat, divide into equal portions and serve warm with fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan, if desired.

Recipe Notes

  • Spaghetti: Feel free to use gluten-free noodles, spinach noodles, cauliflower noodles, etc. to fit this recipe to your tastes and dietary needs.
  • Sugar: Sugar is totally optional. It can help to cut the acidity of the spaghetti sauce, but if your marinara is already sweetened, you probably won't need it. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 315kcal | Protein: 21g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Total Carbs: 37g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Net Carbs: 34g | Vitamin C: 9mg | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 738mg | Potassium: 621mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3mg