Easy Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese Recipe That’s Family-Approved

Hearty turkey bolognese offers a delightful twist on classic Italian comfort food, transforming lean poultry into a rich, satisfying meal.

Family dinners become extraordinary with this robust sauce that simmers with deep, complex flavors.

Succulent dark turkey meat creates a lighter alternative to traditional beef preparations, promising a nutrient-dense experience.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, developing an incredibly nuanced taste profile that feels both familiar and exciting.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dish bridges home cooking and gourmet technique with remarkable ease.

Seasonal vegetables provide additional depth and nutritional balance to the sauce’s fundamental character.

Each spoonful promises a warm, comforting embrace that connects you to time-honored culinary traditions: get ready to fall in love with dinner.

Straightforward Steps for Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

Step 1: Warm Up the Kitchen

Preheat the oven to 300°F. In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery stalks

Add chopped vegetables and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the Turkey

Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break up the meat and cook for 5 minutes until it starts to brown and develops a rich color.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

• White wine
• Tomato paste
• Milk
• Bay leaves
• Parmesan rind

Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 5: Slow Cooking in the Oven

Cover the skillet and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Optional: Stir halfway through cooking. Remove bay leaves and Parmesan rind before serving.

Step 6: Cook the Pasta

• Pasta water
• Butter
• Grated Parmesan

Toss to coat the pasta and create a creamy texture.

Step 7: Bring It All Together

Combine the cooked pasta with the turkey sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated. Serve in warm bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Pointers for a Great Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

• Stash Sauce Smartly: Freeze leftover bolognese in individual portions for quick, delicious meals that taste even better after resting overnight.
• Enhance Umami Secretly: Grate parmesan rind directly into simmering sauce to develop deeper, more complex flavor layers without extra effort.
• Chop Veggies Precisely: Pulse vegetables in a mini processor to create uniform, small pieces that melt seamlessly into the rich sauce.
• Elevate Wine's Role: Select crisp white wine to brighten the sauce, tenderize turkey meat, and add subtle acidic depth to the bolognese.
• Transform Leftovers Creatively: Repurpose remaining bolognese as a topping for baked potatoes, stuffed peppers, or hearty grain bowls for instant meal variety.

How to Store Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

• Vacuum Seal Method: Transfer cooled Turkey Bolognese into vacuum-sealed bags, removing all air to prevent freezer burn.
• Large Batch Portioning: Divide the sauce into smaller, individual serving containers before freezing. This strategy allows quick defrosting of precisely the amount needed without waste, making meal prep incredibly convenient.
• Flat Freezing Technique: Pour the cooled sauce into heavy-duty freezer bags, laying them flat to freeze. Stackable frozen sauce packets save tremendous space in your freezer and thaw faster than bulky containers, making meal planning a breeze.

Alternate Takes on Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

• Slow Cooker Comfort: Transform the recipe by using a slow cooker instead of the oven. Brown the meat and vegetables first, then transfer to the slow cooker with all liquids. Cook on low for 6-8 hours for deeper, richer flavors.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Enhance the sauce by adding red pepper flakes, chopped fresh oregano, and a splash of red wine. Swap fusilli for penne and top with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Lean Green Protein Swap: Replace turkey with ground chicken or plant-based ground meat. Incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach for extra nutrition. Use whole wheat pasta to boost the health factor.
• Creamy Mushroom Fusion: Mix in sautéed wild mushrooms like porcini or shiitake for an earthy depth. Stir in a dollop of mascarpone cheese at the end to create a luxurious, creamy texture that complements the meat sauce.

Looking Back at Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

Italian-inspired comfort meets Ina Garten’s signature culinary magic in this hearty turkey bolognese.

Classic ingredients dance together, creating layers of rich, complex flavors that warm both heart and palate.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted bite of this robust sauce.

Pasta becomes more than mere sustenance – it transforms into a canvas for delectable turkey and vegetable harmony.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant yet approachable recipe with simple techniques and premium ingredients.

Passionate gourmands will savor each forkful, so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, click that like button, spread the deliciousness on social media, and let culinary adventure begin!

Why Ina Garten’s Turkey Bolognese Is So Hearty

• Slow-Simmer Flavor Explosion: This recipe transforms ordinary turkey into a rich, deeply flavored sauce that develops complexity through slow oven cooking. The long, gentle heat allows ingredients to meld together, creating a luxurious depth that standard stovetop methods can't achieve.
• Effortless Gourmet Comfort: Ina Garten's approach makes restaurant-quality pasta feel totally approachable. With simple chopping and minimal hands-on time, home cooks can create a sophisticated meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
• Versatile One-Pot Wonder: The entire dish comes together in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience. From sautéing vegetables to finishing the sauce in the oven, this recipe streamlines cooking without sacrificing incredible taste.
• Protein-Packed Weeknight Winner: Using lean turkey instead of traditional beef makes this bolognese a lighter, healthier option that doesn't compromise on satisfaction. Perfect for families seeking nutritious meals that still feel indulgent and delicious.

Crucial Components for Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese

Main Ingredients:

• Turkey: Lean meat that provides the base for the hearty sauce, best when freshly ground for maximum flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Rich, salty cheese that adds depth and complexity to the sauce and pasta.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix that creates a flavor foundation for the bolognese, finely chopped for smooth texture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings intense flavor and depth to the sauce.

• White Wine: Adds acidity and helps deglaze the pan, bringing out rich flavors in the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that thickens and enriches the sauce.
• Milk: Helps tenderize the meat and creates a creamy, smooth sauce texture.
• Bay Leaves: Herb that provides subtle earthy and herbal undertones to the sauce.
• Parmesan Rind: Adds extra umami and depth during slow cooking.

• Fusilli Pasta: Spiral-shaped pasta that holds sauce beautifully.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy finish.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind the sauce to the pasta.

Ina Garten Turkey Bolognese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Turkey Bolognese brings classic Italian comfort to your dinner table with a lean, hearty twist. Rich tomato sauce and ground turkey combine in a soul-warming pasta dish that delivers robust flavor and wholesome satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) dark turkey meat
• 1 pound (454 grams) fusilli pasta
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 small carrots or 2 large, coarsely chopped
• 3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids, Seasonings, and Extras:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus a bit more for later
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry white wine
• 1 can (6-ounce/170 grams) tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Parmesan rind
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 0.5 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 300°F (150°C), creating the perfect environment for slow-cooking the sauce.
2. In a large skillet, gently melt butter with olive oil, then introduce finely chopped onions, allowing them to soften and release their sweet, aromatic essence.
3. Utilize a mini food processor to finely dice carrots and celery, then introduce these vibrant vegetables to the skillet along with minced garlic, sautéing for 1-2 minutes to enhance their flavors.
4. Incorporate ground turkey into the skillet, stirring and cooking until the meat begins to brown and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, approximately 5 minutes.
5. Elevate the sauce by adding white wine, tomato paste, milk, bay leaves, and a Parmesan rind, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a complex flavor profile. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven, covering it to trap moisture and intensify the flavors. Let it cook for 45 minutes, optionally stirring midway through. Once done, remove the bay leaves and Parmesan rind.
7. Meanwhile, cook fusilli pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot, ensuring it reaches the perfect al dente texture.
8. Drain the pasta, returning it to the pot and enhancing it with a splash of reserved pasta water, a knob of butter, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, creating a luscious coating.
9. Marry the turkey sauce with the prepared pasta, stirring thoroughly to ensure each pasta strand is generously coated with the rich, flavorful sauce.
10. Serve the dish in warm bowls, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add a final touch of indulgence.

Notes

• Simmer this bolognese low and slow to unlock deep, complex flavors that transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Tucking a Parmesan rind into the sauce creates magical umami depth that elevates the entire dish beyond typical home cooking.
• Chopping vegetables in a mini processor ensures uniform pieces that melt seamlessly into the rich, meaty sauce.
• Deglazing with white wine adds bright acidity that cuts through the richness and helps tenderize the ground turkey.
• Full-fat milk creates a luxurious, silky texture that makes every bite incredibly smooth and comforting.
• Storing leftovers guarantees an even more delicious meal the next day as flavors continue to develop and intensify.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 702 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 842 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 81 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 112 mg