Spaghetti with Turkey Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients

• Ground turkey 6 oz
• Whole wheat spaghetti 2 cups cooked
• Tomato sauce 1 cup
• Parmesan cheese 1 tbsp
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Onion 0.25 cup chopped
• Garlic 1 clove
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning 0.5 tsp

Method

1. Prepare ingredients. Start by finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. Measure out all your ingredients so they are ready to use.
   Tip: Having everything prepped before cooking helps the process go smoothly.
2. Cook spaghetti. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry whole wheat spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
   Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Save a little pasta water for the sauce if desired.
3. Sauté onion and garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
   Tip: Cook garlic just until fragrant to prevent bitterness.
4. Cook ground turkey. Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
   Tip: Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
5. Add tomato sauce and seasonings. Pour in 1 cup of tomato sauce and stir to combine. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning if using. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
   Tip: Simmer gently to avoid splattering and allow flavors to meld.
6. Combine spaghetti and sauce. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the turkey Bolognese sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
   Tip: Tossing pasta in sauce helps it absorb more flavor.
7. Serve with Parmesan. Divide the spaghetti and turkey Bolognese between plates. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.
   Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and tastes more flavorful than pre-grated.

Pro tips

• Use lean ground turkey to keep the dish healthy and reduce fat content.
• Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.