Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce

What would life be like without pasta? For as long as I can remember we have always had pasta for dinner. Even when we had a main course there was always a side of pasta. Ahhh...such is life in an Italian household.




Over the years our preferences have changed a little, but nonetheless...it's PASTA night!


These days I use ground turkey instead of any beef or pork products. When I want to splurge I will get some turkey Italian sausage and add that for some additional flavor. Once you get the basics down, you can add your own spin and use the sauce for lots of other recipes, like lasagna!

This is one meal that, if there are left overs, lasts for a few days. Throw some garlic bread in the oven and you will have a happily full family!




Ground Turkey Pasta Sauce

Turkey meat:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1-2 cloves garlic (to your taste) sliced thinly
1 jar or 2-3 cans of your favorite sauce (mine is Contadina)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (1/2 with meat, 1/2 with sauce)
1/4 or less of an onion sliced
2 teaspoons of sugar
touch of salt
Sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
splash of your favorite wine (optional)

Brown the turkey meat in 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet seasoning it with 1/2 tsp of the salt, and Italian seasoning.

I usually let it go on medium high without stirring for a few minutes to get those little brown bits on the bottom of the pan...you can thank me later :)

Once the meat is done take it out of the pan and set it aside while you start the sauce. DO NOT RINSE THE PAN! That is where you will get your all day cooked taste and a richer meat flavor.

Sauce:
Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan on medium heat
Add thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.
Let the garlic get just blonde (light brown) in color. Over browning will cause the garlic to be bitter.
Let this mixture fry about a minute or so until you can smell the pepper flakes toasting.
Add the onion and let fry for about 30 seconds
Immediately add your tomato sauce, BE CAREFUL! it will splash.
Add sugar and wine, then salt to taste
Let this simmer for about 5 minutes then add the meat and simmer about 20 minutes or longer if you like. I have let it go a few hours before on super low heat. The house will smell fantastic!

Put over your favorite type of pasta and don't forget the garlic bread and salad!