Hearty Ground Turkey Vegetable Spaghetti
Enjoy a wholesome and flavorful twist on classic spaghetti with our Hearty Ground Turkey Vegetable Spaghetti. This nourishing sauce is packed with lean ground turkey and an array of fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, delivering a burst of color and nutrition. Perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and a hint of sweetness, this dish is a delightful way to indulge in the rich flavors while keeping it low in fat. Serve over al dente whole wheat spaghetti for a satisfying meal that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Best of all, this sauce can be prepared in advance, making it an ideal dish for family meals or meal prep!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground turkey
20 ounces (browned)
green bell pepper
1 (diced)
celery ribs
2 (diced)
frozen diced onions
12 ounces (frozen)
chopped garlic
2 teaspoons (minced)
fresh mushrooms
8 ounces (sliced)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
baby carrots
8 (sliced)
zucchini
1 small (diced)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (canned)
sugar
2 tablespoons (granulated)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
tomato sauce
2 (15 ounce) cans (canned)
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon (dried)
fennel seed
1 teaspoon (crushed)
rosemary
1 tablespoon (dried)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced green bell pepper, celery, frozen diced onions, and garlic. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
2
Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker using a slotted spoon.
3
In the same skillet, brown the lean ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula until cooked through. Drain any excess fat and transfer the turkey to the slow cooker.
4
Add sliced mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, sliced baby carrots, diced zucchini, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
6
If desired, prepare whole wheat spaghetti according to package instructions in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
7
Serve the hearty sauce over the hot cooked spaghetti, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ground Turkey Vegetable Spaghetti?
It is a wholesome and flavorful twist on classic spaghetti featuring lean ground turkey, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots in a slow-cooked tomato sauce.
How long does it take to cook this in a slow cooker?
The sauce should be cooked on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Do I need to brown the ground turkey before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, you should brown the lean ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat and drain any excess fat before transferring it to the slow cooker.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes green bell pepper, celery, onions, fresh mushrooms, baby carrots, and zucchini.
Can I use fresh onions instead of frozen diced onions?
Yes, you can substitute the 12 ounces of frozen diced onions with an equivalent amount of fresh diced onions.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and low fat because it uses lean ground turkey, a variety of fresh vegetables, and whole wheat spaghetti.
What spices are used to season the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed fennel seed, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Why is sugar added to the recipe?
Two tablespoons of sugar are added to provide a hint of sweetness and to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What type of tomato products are needed?
You will need one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste, and two 15-ounce cans of tomato sauce.
Can this recipe be used for meal prep?
Absolutely! This sauce is ideal for meal prep as it can be prepared in advance and stores well.
What kind of pasta is recommended for serving?
The recipe suggests serving the hearty sauce over hot, al dente whole wheat spaghetti.
How much ground turkey is required?
The recipe calls for 20 ounces of lean ground turkey.
Do I need to sauté any ingredients before slow cooking?
Yes, you should sauté the diced green bell pepper, celery, onions, and garlic in olive oil for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
One small zucchini should be diced before being added to the slow cooker.
What is the purpose of the fennel seed?
Crushed fennel seed provides a traditional Italian flavor profile often found in sausages, enhancing the savory depth of the turkey sauce.
How many mushrooms should I use?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms.
How many baby carrots are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 8 baby carrots, which should be sliced before cooking.
Can I use ground beef instead?
While the recipe specifies ground turkey for a leaner option, ground beef can be used as a direct substitute.
What size of tomato paste cans are used?
You need two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
How much olive oil is needed?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used for sautéing the vegetables.
Is the rosemary used fresh or dried?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of dried rosemary.
Can I add more vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, you can easily add other vegetables like spinach or eggplant to increase the nutritional value.
Does this recipe contain many ingredients?
The recipe has an ingredient count of 18, which includes the meat, vegetables, tomato base, and various spices.
How do I ensure the pasta is al dente?
Follow the package instructions for the whole wheat spaghetti, typically cooking it for 1-2 minutes less than the maximum time suggested.
Is the garlic fresh or bottled?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic, which can be fresh or pre-minced from a jar.
Can I skip the sautéing of vegetables?
Sautéing is recommended to bring out the fragrance and tenderness of the vegetables, but in a pinch, they can be added directly to the slow cooker.
How many celery ribs are used?
The recipe uses 2 diced celery ribs.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The sauce itself is gluten-free if the spices and canned goods are certified, but you would need to serve it over gluten-free pasta instead of wheat spaghetti.
Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Yes, but you would need to cook them down significantly to match the consistency and concentrated flavor of canned crushed tomatoes and sauce.
What is the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for longer storage.