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
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 300°F (150°C), creating the perfect environment for slow-cooking the sauce.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate ground turkey into the skillet, stirring and cooking until the meat begins to brown and develop a rich, caramelized exterior, approximately 5 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Meanwhile, cook fusilli pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot, ensuring it reaches the perfect al dente texture.
- 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.
- Marry the turkey sauce with the prepared pasta, stirring thoroughly to ensure each pasta strand is generously coated with the rich, flavorful sauce.
- 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