Turkey Bolognese (One Pot Spaghetti)
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When I’m tired but want to make something nice for dinner, this Turkey Bolognese One Pot Spaghetti is my go-to! The pasta and sauce cook together in one pot, so there are fewer dishes to wash. Plus, it’s hearty and full of flavor!
Between work, my boys’ sports practices, and everything else we have going on, I really appreciate a quick one pot dinner. Especially one that doesn’t leave me a sink full of dishes to wash!
Cooking the spaghetti noodles right in the Bolognese sauce gives them extra flavor, and using ground turkey keeps the meal lighter. It’s also a budget friendly meal since it uses simple pantry staples I almost always have on hand.
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Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
This one pot spaghetti recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it’s convenient on busy nights.
It’s also easy to customize based on what ingredients you have in your fridge or freezer. Stir in frozen vegetables at the end for an extra serving of veggies, adjust the spice level to your family’s taste, or pile on extra Parmesan for the cheese lovers.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times, so I can save you from a failed attempt.
- Break the spaghetti in half before adding it so it cooks evenly and is easier to stir into the sauce.
- Gently push the pasta under the turkey Bolognese sauce instead of stirring it in. Once the noodles soften, they’ll naturally sink further into the liquid.
- Stir every now and then as it cooks, to prevent sticking.
- Cook the pasta to al dente. The noodles will continue absorbing sauce for a few minutes after you remove the pot from the heat, giving you a perfectly thick, rich turkey Bolognese instead of dry pasta.
Ingredients
You’ll want to add these ingredients to your grocery shopping list:
Ingredients
Ground turkey is a lean, budget-friendly option that’s perfect for this Bolognese recipe. You can substitute ground chicken or lean ground beef if that’s what your family likes.
Crushed tomatoes create the rich, smooth sauce that coat every strand of pasta. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, diced tomatoes will work, though the texture will be different.
Balsamic vinegar adds a subtle depth that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Don’t skip it if you can help it, but a small splash of red wine vinegar works in a pinch.
Red pepper flakes add a gentle kick without making the sauce overly spicy.
How to Make My Turkey Bolognese One Pot Spaghetti Dinner
For the full step-by-step instructions, see the recipe card! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Brown the turkey until fully cooked, then drain any excess liquid (with ground turkey, there usually isn’t much).
- Season the turkey with the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, then give everything a good stir.
- Add the onion and carrots, and sauté them until they are soft and start to smell sweet.
- Stir in the tomatoes, water, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
Quick Tip
If your carrots aren't finely diced, pulse them in a food processor with the onion. They'll cook faster and blend right into the sauce, making them perfect for picky eaters.
- Add the uncooked spaghetti noodles and gently press them down into the sauce. Now increase the burner heat so the Bolognese comes to a boil.
- Cook the pasta to al dente - the spaghetti should be cooked but still be a bit firm. Finish with fresh parsley and Parmesan, then serve while it's hot.
Make it kid friendly:
If your kids are sensitive to spicy foods, simply leave out the red pepper flakes.
Storing and Freezing
This turkey Bolognese makes great leftovers, so don't be afraid to make a little extra. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Let everything cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
One Pot Spaghetti FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the sauce a few days in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. For the best texture, cook the spaghetti fresh before serving, though the fully assembled dish also reheats well for easy lunches.
Absolutely. Short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni also work well, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid and cooking time. Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks and add a little extra water if needed.
That's completely normal with a one pot spaghetti recipe. The pasta naturally absorbs more of the sauce over time. Just stir in a splash of water while reheating to bring it back to the perfect consistency.
Serving Suggestions
This turkey Bolognese is delicious with a simple green salad and warm garlic bread for an easy family dinner. If you want to add another vegetable, roasted broccoli or green beans pair perfectly with the rich tomato sauce.
I also like to grate a little extra Parmesan on top, which always makes this turkey Bolognese an easy win at our dinner table.
After you make this recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment to let me know how it went!
Turkey Bolognese (One Pot Spaghetti)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- ½ cup carrots finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles broken in half
- chopped parsley for serving
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large pot (I use a Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Season turkey with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine, then drain any excess grease. Transfer turkey to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced ½ cup onion and ½ cup carrots. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, until vegetables are softened.
- Add minced 2 cloves garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return turkey to the pot and stir to combine.
- Add 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 3 cups water, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Add broken 8 ounces spaghetti noodles on top, gently pushing them down to submerge in the liquid.
- Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Serve topped with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- To finely dice vegetables quickly, you can use a food processor
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level
- This is a true one-pot meal with minimal cleanup!
- You can add frozen veggies near the end of the cook time for a balanced, low-cost meal!
Nutrition
Other Easy Dinner Recipes
If your family loves comforting pasta dinners like this turkey Bolognese, here are a few more Italian-inspired meals to add to your dinner rotation:
