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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!

Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

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
CourseMain Dish
Serves4

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. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    I am vegetarian, and, also on a strict “anti-inflammatory lifestyle”. I follow gluten, dairy and sugar-free. I would make “Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta” with a few tweaks. Since you are providing the recipe above, it is now so much easier for me to make it so that I can enjoy this recipe as often as I want. I cannot get any better than that! Of course an entire book would for sure help me reach my goal, in one to two-years. That goal, is to be pain and meds FREE!!! I am rating the recipe a 5-star as I know already that it will be easy to make and amazing to eat. The best is to feel GREAT after eating it! Thank your for the opportunity to comment.

  2. Sue Bunton Avatar
    Sue Bunton

    I think the Ginger Garlic Salmon Zucchini Noodle Bowl would make a great Lenten Friday meal!! I think I might run to Bed, Bath, and Beyond today to buy a spiralizer ; even in all of this yucky snow!!! BTW, what is the serving size of the Turkey Bolognese Zucchini Pasta recipe?

  3. Karen D Avatar
    Karen D

    I would make Zucchini Spaghetti with Sriracha Fried Eggs

  4. Christine Hollis Avatar
    Christine Hollis

    The pepperoni pizza zucchini pasta sounds wonderful. Heck they all do! I saw the same spiralizer in another food blog and nearly bought it. With spring coming, and my garden soon to be planted, now is the time.

    My hubby is diabetic so this is a great way to cut those dangerous carbs from his diet.

  5. Susan Froass Avatar
    Susan Froass

    The Bolognese! I have been looking at the spiralizer, trying to justify purchasing another gadget. This cookbook makes it a sure thing.

  6. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Zucchini Spaghetti with Sriracha Fried Eggs sounds right up my alley!

  7. Mandy ~ KitchenJoy Avatar
    Mandy ~ KitchenJoy

    Just found your lovely site for the first time. Incredible! I’ve been so curious about spiralizers…I may need to get myself one soon. Also, so cool that you’re also a Grand Rapids native! Love it here…although I am ready for Spring! This recipe sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh cool a fellow Grand Rapidian!!! Thanks for finding my site!

  8. Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons Avatar
    Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons

    I just ordered a spiralizer today! Ahhhh so excited! I want to make that Tzatziki Zuchinni Pasta!

  9. Kindra Avatar
    Kindra

    they all sound really good but I would like to try the Broccoli Rabe spicy italian sausage zucchini Thanks for the inspiration I had not heard of this either but am excited to try

  10. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    I would love to try the pumpkin zucchini pasta with sweet Italian sausage! :)