Flavorful, lean, and easy! This Ground Turkey Spaghetti is weeknight hero material. Crave-worthy in less than an hour!
It costs approximately $9.58 to make this turkey spaghetti. The recipe makes four servings and costs around $2.39 per serving.
Turkey Spaghetti
Lighten up! This lean turkey, spaghetti recipe swaps, ground beef for protein-packed turkey without sacrificing flavor.
My recipe uses pantry staples to create a homemade spaghetti sauce that is simple enough for any night of the week. And the best part is that it tastes way better than any jarred tomato sauce you can buy at the store. Even picky eaters love this homemade spaghetti meat sauce.
This minimal-effort recipe provides a healthier twist on a classic dish the whole family will love. It is so good no one will even miss the ground beef spaghetti is typically made with. Make this quick meal tonight, and it will become a favorite meal to add to your menu rotation.
What You’ll Love About This Spaghetti with Ground Turkey
- Foolproof Recipe: This recipe is so simple that even a beginner chef making it for the first time can successfully make it by following my easy step-by-step directions.
- Simple Ingredients: You may already have the pantry ingredients to make this dish. The recipe combines simple spices and ingredients beautifully to create a flavorful homemade sauce.
- Quick and Easy: The recipe requires only fifteen minutes of active prep time and about forty minutes to cook. You’ll have an easy dinner in less than an hour. It’s great for busy weeknights!
Ground Turkey Spaghetti Ingredients and Estimated Cost:
Per Serving Cost: $2.39
Recipe Cost: $9.58
- 1 pound ground turkey ($4.49): Instead of ground turkey you can use ground chicken.
- 1 small onion ($0.22): Use either a yellow or white onion. Alternatively, you can use 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
- 3 garlic cloves ($0.12): Instead of garlic you can use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- 15 oz can crushed tomatoes ($1.00): This will add a nice brightness to the sauce.
- 15 oz can tomato sauce ($1.00): You can use homemade sauce instead of canned sauce.
- 6 oz can tomato paste ($0.99): This adds really nice depth to the sauce, don’t skimp on it!
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning ($0.21): Italian seasoning interacts with and boosts other natural flavors in your dish, making everything taste brighter and more vibrant.
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil ($0.15): Instead of dried basil you can use 1 ½ Tablespoons of fresh chopped basil.
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley ($0.07): You can use 1 ½ Tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley instead of dried parsley.
- 1 pound spaghetti ($1.33): You can use your favorite kind of pasta, just make sure it’s 1 pound.
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in January 2024.
How To Make Turkey Spaghetti:
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, cook the turkey in a large skillet until it is almost completely cooked.
- Then add the onions and cook for three to four minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute before draining off the excess oil.
- Next, stir in the tomatoes, sauce, paste, and seasonings.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil over medium heat and then simmer uncovered for twenty to thirty minutes. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Finally, cook the spaghetti noodles, following the directions on the box, and then serve with the sauce and parmesan cheese.
Spaghetti with Ground Turkey Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve the spaghetti immediately after cooking with fresh parmesan.
STORE: Store the leftover ground turkey spaghetti sauce and noodles in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to four days.
FREEZE: You can freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Ground Turkey Spaghetti Recipe FAQs:
Now, you can enjoy classic spaghetti without the guilt of added fat from ground beef. This ground turkey spaghetti has 661 calories. For the total nutritional value of the recipe, please see the information at the bottom of the recipe card.
My favorite method is to use a cheese grater to grate fresh parmesan on top of the pasta sauce before serving. It adds extra flavor to the dish.
It’s important to follow the box directions when cooking spaghetti noodles. Cooking the noodles to al dente prevents them from becoming mushy.
Lean ground turkey has a lower fat ratio than ground beef, making it a healthier option and a great way to get high protein.
More Easy Recipes:
Ground Turkey Spaghetti
Equipment
- large skillet
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- Sauce pan
- mixing spoon
- colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound spaghetti
FOR SERVING:
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving optional
Instructions
MAKE MEAT SAUCE:
- In a large skillet, cook turkey until almost completely cooked.
- Add the onions and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Drain off excess oil.
- Stir in tomatoes, sauce, paste, and seasonings.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
TO FINISH:
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to the directions on the box.
- Serve immediately with parmesan cheese if you like.
Nutrition
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