Ground Turkey Spaghetti
Savory ground turkey spaghetti features tender turkey meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, infused with garlic, onions, and herbs—perfect for a hearty, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Form ground turkey into meatballs using about 1 tablespoon of garlic and place them in a 13 x 18-inch pan.
- Bake the meatballs in a 300°F (150°C) oven until cooked through.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and prepare the sauce by combining onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, celery, brown sugar, tomato paste, cooking wine, garlic powder, water, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce until flavors meld and sauce thickens.
- Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter option, consider using ground chicken instead of turkey. If you prefer a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also substitute fresh garlic for garlic powder for a more robust flavor. To save time, use pre-chopped vegetables. This dish can be versatile; try adding spinach or zucchini to the sauce for extra nutrients.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the ground turkey spaghetti over your favorite pasta, and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of garlic bread or a light salad, such as Spaghetti Salad(With Mccormick Salad Supreme), for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the spaghetti and meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, or microwave in short intervals until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ground Turkey Spaghetti contains roughly 638 calories, with 16g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (243% of the Daily Value), iron (54% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (43% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1003mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce a day ahead. Just store the components separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and add the meatballs until heated through. This allows the flavors to develop even more!
What can I substitute for tomato paste?
If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use canned crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce as a substitute. Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cooking time to ensure the sauce thickens properly.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely! This dish freezes well. Just cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm on the stove or microwave until heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).