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Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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A lighter version of the Italian classic, this turkey bolognese zucchini pasta has all of the rich, meaty flavors you crave served over a bed of guilt-free noodles. A family friendly recipe, this high protein dinner is naturally gluten free.

Turkey bolognese zucchini pasta piled high in a shallow white bowl.

I’m always getting inspired by my fellow food bloggers. Most recently, I took inspiration from the amazingly talented Ali from Inspiralized, who does a lot with spiralized fruits and veggies. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t feel bad. This handy kitchen tool literally turns anything from zucchini to sweet potatoes into the most glorious noodles, minus the carbs and gluten. I use it to make my Zucchini Zoodles with Sausage and Kale, Sweet Potato Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Cold Sesame Peanut Zoodles. Today I’m sharing my Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta, a gluten-free, lighter version of the Italian classic.

Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Pasta

  • It’s naturally gluten-free with the zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
  • Rich and flavorful, but made in less than an hour!
  • A great way to get kids to eat more vegetables!

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for turkey bolognese zucchini pasta.
  • Zucchini: Used to make gluten-free, low-carb noodles or “zoodles”.
  • Ground turkey: An excellent lean source of protein.
  • Veggies: Celery, carrots, and onion create a mirepoix to start the base of the sauce.
  • Spices: Oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper bring the Italian flavor and a bit of heat to the tomato sauce.
  • Tomatoes: I use a can crushed tomatoes and tomato paste for the tomato sauce.
  • Chicken broth: Adds a bit of flavor to the sauce, especially with the ground turkey being so lean.

How to Make Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta

Making zucchini noodles with a spiralizer on a stand mixer.

Step 1. Start by using your spiralizer to make your zucchini noodles, or “zoodles.”

Cooking onion, celery, and carrots in a pan.

Step 2. To make the bolognese, start by heating olive oil in the bottom of a skillet, then add the diced onion, carrot, and celery with the garlic and some salt and pepper.

Adding ground turkey to sautéed vegetables.

Step 3. Add the ground turkey and break into pieces with a wooden spoon as it browns. Add the oregano, and once the turkey is fully cooked, stir in the chicken broth.

Stirring in crushed tomatoes to cooked veggies and ground trukey.

Step 4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, along with another pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.

Adding zucchini noodles to bolognese sauce.

Step 5. Once sauce reduces down, add in the zoodles.

Cooked zoodles in bolognese sauce.

Step 6. Stir and cook an additional few minutes until zucchini noodles are softened and warmed through.

Turkey bolognese zucchini noodles garnished with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, then serve and enjoy your Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix bland bolognese sauce?

Try upping the umami by adding some Worcestershire or more tomato paste. Or you could try adding some fresh herbs and spices!

Is marinara sauce the same as bolognese?

No. While they are both tomato bases sauces, bolognese is a meat sauce with added vegetables as well.

Can I use real pasta with this turkey bolognese?

Yes of course! You could still cook regular pasta according to package instructions, then add it to the bolognese once it’s finished cooking.
Turkey bolognese zucchini noodles on a white plate.

More Gluten-Free Dishes

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

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If you need a good low-carb, gluten-free option, then you can’t go wrong with zoodles. Give my Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta a try and let me know what you think!

Your fork is waiting.

Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta

4.42 stars average
A lighter version of the Italian classic, this turkey bolognese has all of the rich, meaty flavors you crave served over a bed of guilt-free zucchini pasta.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serves4
CourseMain Dish
Calories337

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloved garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 pound ground turkey or beef
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 3 medium zucchini turned in to noodles
  • chopped basil, shaved Parmesan cheese to garnish

Instructions
 

  1. Put a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Stir in onions plus a pinch salt and pepper and saute until they begin to soften, 3-4 minutes. Add carrots and celery to pan along with another pinch salt and pepper and continue to saute until soft and tender, 4-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for another 30 seconds then add in the ground turkey,
    2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 medium onion, 3 cloved garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 stalks celery, 2 medium carrots, 1 pound ground turkey
  2. Using a wooden spoon begin breaking up the ground turkey and sprinkle with more salt and pepper as well as ground oregano. Continue to cook the meat until it is no longer pink. Add in the chicken broth and cook until the broth reduces.
    1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1/2 cup chicken broth
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then lower heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until sauce is reduced.
    14 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  4. Add in the zucchini noodles and mix thoroughly to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes or until zucchini softens and heats through. Garnish to serve with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.
    salt and pepper to taste, 3 medium zucchini, chopped basil, shaved Parmesan cheese

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 30gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 448mgPotassium: 1028mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8615IUVitamin C: 21.1mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 2.9mg

Liz’s Notes

I love using the KitchenAid stand mixer spiralizer attachment to make my Zucchini noodles but you can also buy a stand alone spiralizer.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.42 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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76 responses to “Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta”

  1. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    I definitely need to get my hands on a spiralizer! I love pasta, but when I’m not in training I can’t eat the same amount as I would when I’m running all the time – sad face.
    I would love to try the Creamy Gorgonzola Zucchini Pasta – perfect for the upcoming winter here in Australia, and sure to be loved by the whole family :)

  2. Alexandra W Avatar
    Alexandra W

    chicken zucchini pasta alla vodka sounds like a great, healthy take on an awesome dish!

  3. emily Avatar
    emily

    i’ve been curious about making “noodles” with “stuff” and i don’t trust myself to do that by hand!

    i think i would start with the zucchini pasta with sriracha fried eggs.

  4. Tawnya Avatar
    Tawnya

    The bolognese sounds delicious. I would love to try several of the recipes and that one in particular. :-)

  5. Michelle Halman Avatar
    Michelle Halman

    Can’t wait to try a LOT of these! I am a Weight Watcher and these will be great to stay on track.

  6. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    This looks so good! I’ve been wanting to get a spiralizer and now there’s some inspiration to use it. The pepperoni pizza zucchini and taco zucchini spaghetti also sound fantastic!

  7. Elizabeth Domin Avatar
    Elizabeth Domin

    A spiralizer has been on my list for a bit, but I haven’t pulled the trigger – these recipes may be the motivation I need. I would make the Chicken Zucchini Pasta alla Zodka, as I’m a sucker for a vodka sauce!

  8. Terrill Rosado Avatar
    Terrill Rosado

    I was doing this before it was cool! LOL Although, I just cut my vegies in chunks and used them in place of the pasta. The spiralizer is a must-have

    I would love to try the Garlic Chicken Sausage Zucchinini Pasta with Kale and Roasted Potatoes.

    Everything sounds so flavorful.

  9. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    So comforting and delicious!

  10. EllenCF Avatar
    EllenCF

    The broccoli rabb & spicey italian sausage with zucchini pasta!