Spicy Turkey Bolognese

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!  Today, I bring you a spicy red pasta sauce that is sure to make anyone fall in love with you!  Well, at least with your cooking 🙂 This sauce is so easy to whip up and would make a delicious Valentine’s Day meal.

This sauce is so so so delicious.  Over-the-top yummy.  It doesn’t take too long to make, which makes it easy to prepare on a weeknight, yet it’s so rich and full of flavor!

Spicy Turkey Bolognese | Hugs ‘n Kitchen

So far, I have served this sauce over spaghetti squash and gluten-free penne.  Both equally fabulous.  I’ve also enjoyed it with just a spoon.  It’s even delicious cold out of the fridge.

Spicy Turkey Bolognese | Hugs ‘n Kitchen

The other beautiful thing about this sauce is that it’s so healthy.  It’s full of antioxidant-rich tomatoes, sautéed vegetables and spices.  And it uses ground turkey or turkey sausage, which is far healthier than a ground beef-based sauce.  You could of course substitute ground beef (I’m sure it would be delish) or ground chicken.  Or, quite frankly, you could make this sauce sans-meat and I bet it would still be mouthwateringly wonderful.

Spicy Turkey Bolognese | Hugs ‘n Kitchen

As for the veggies, you don’t have to measure them to an exact science.  The more, the merrier.  And if you’re not a huge “spice” fan, just cut back on the red pepper flakes or remove them altogether!

Spicy Turkey Bolognese | Hugs ‘n Kitchen

I hope you find many more ways to enjoy this sauce as much as we have.

Spicy Turkey Bolognese | Hugs ‘n Kitchen

Hugs, kisses & yummy dishes… xoxo
Lauren

Spicy Turkey Bolognese

  • YIELDS 4 Servings

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauce pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots and celery. Sautée vegetables until just translucent, stirring often, about five minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
  4. Add ground sausage and cook until browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks to make sure it's all cooked through.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and bay leaves.
  6. Let the sauce simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Add chopped basil and lemon juice and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes.  The sauce will thicken up a bit.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve sauce over noodles of choice!

2 Responses to Spicy Turkey Bolognese

  1. Kathy b says:

    Cannot wait to make this. Sounds so yummy