Imagine coming home after a long day and whipping up a restaurant-quality pasta dish in just 30 minutes! This mouthwatering ground turkey meat sauce is about to become your new secret weapon in the kitchen. Packed with flavor, lighter than traditional beef sauce, and incredibly easy to prepare, this Italian-inspired recipe will have your family begging for seconds - and asking how you became such an amazing cook so quickly!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pasta of choice
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Add chopped onions to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the ground turkey, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine with the ground turkey. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Pour the meat sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil leaves.
Tips
- For the most flavorful sauce, use fresh garlic and make sure to sauté it briefly to release its aromatic oils without burning.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce or consider making your own for an even more authentic taste.
- Use a non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan to ensure the ground turkey doesn't stick and browns evenly.
- Don't overcook the ground turkey - cook just until it's no longer pink to keep it tender and juicy.
- For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce while it simmers.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered to reduce and concentrate the flavors.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes - this sauce works wonderfully with everything from spaghetti to penne.
- For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and add some extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
