Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce – Today we are making a healthy spaghetti sauce, using ground turkey instead of ground beef.
Our guest on “Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders” is Betty Hill, the Director of Youth Development for Mentor Greater Milwaukee (https://www.milwaukeementor.com/). Betty is another one of our guests who is on the MKE Business Journal 40 under 40 list. Betty shows us how she makes Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce.
You can also listen to the podcast version of this interview and cooking episode –
Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Both ground turkey and ground beef can be used in spaghetti sauce, and each has its unique qualities. Let’s explore the differences and benefits of using either one.
Ground Turkey:
Flavor: Ground turkey has a mild flavor that easily takes on the taste of any herbs, spices, and sauces you mix in. It’s relatively bland on its own.
Health Considerations: Turkey is leaner than beef, making it a heart-healthy choice. It has less saturated fat, which is good for those watching their fat intake.
Texture: Ground turkey tends to be finer in texture compared to ground beef.
Usage: Ground turkey works well in dishes where the meat isn’t the main flavor profile. For example, it’s great in spaghetti sauce because it absorbs the flavors of tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs beautifully.
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Ground Beef:
Flavor: Ground beef has a richer, beefier flavor due to its higher fat content. It adds depth and umami to your sauce.
Fat Content: Beef contains more fat, which can enhance the overall taste and mouthfeel of the sauce.
Texture: Ground beef tends to be coarser and chunkier than ground turkey.
Usage: Ground beef is a classic choice for a traditional Bolognese Sauce or hearty meat sauce. It pairs wonderfully with red wine, herbs, and slow-cooked tomatoes.
Combining Both for Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce:
Some cooks like to combine both ground turkey and ground beef for a balanced flavor and texture. This way, you get the best of both worlds: the lean quality of turkey and the richness of beef.
Experiment with different ratios to find what suits your taste preferences. For instance, a 50/50 blend of turkey and beef can create a well-rounded sauce.
So, whether you choose turkey, beef, or a combination, the key to a delicious spaghetti sauce is in the seasonings, slow simmering, and love you put into it.
Let’s compare ground turkey and ground beef in terms of nutrition and other factors:
Health Considerations:
Heart Health: Ground turkey is generally considered healthier due to its lower saturated fat content.
Flavor and Texture: Ground beef tends to be richer and more flavorful, while ground turkey can be drier if not prepared well.
As you can see, ground turkey is a leaner option, while ground beef offers a little more flavor.
Homemade Garlic Bread served with Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Making homemade garlic bread is a delicious way to elevate any meal. Adjust the ingredients and seasonings according to your preferences for a more personalized taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of French or Italian bread
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Prepare the bread: Slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally, creating two long halves. Place them on a baking sheet, the cut side up.
- Spread the garlic butter: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Make sure to cover the entire surface.
- Optional: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the garlic butter for an extra flavorful touch.
- Bake the garlic bread: Place the baking sheet with the bread into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- Serve: Once done, remove the garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly. Slice it into pieces and serve it warm.
Top Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce with Basil Chiffonade
Basil chiffonade is a culinary technique where you stack fresh basil leaves, roll them together, and slice them thinly into strips or ribbons.
The French term for basil chiffonade is “6 feuilles de basilic, coupées en chiffonnade”. Chiffonade is a French word that means “little ribbons” or “made of rags”. In cooking, it means a technique of thinly slicing fresh herbs, lettuce, or other leafy greens into thin ribbons.
Remember that basil oxidizes when cut. If you chop it, it will turn black. However, if you chiffonade it, the cut edges will darken while the little ribbons stay bright green. Enjoy using this technique to add flavor and visual appeal to your dishes!
Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Pot for boiling pasta
- 1 Sauté Pan for the sauce
Materials
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tbsp Garlic
- 1 lb ground turkey
- Italian Spices
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Salt for salted pasta water
- 1 lb Spaghetti
- 1 Jar of Marinara Sauce
- 1/2 cup Red Wine
- Basil leaves for garnish
- 1 loaf Bread, sliced in half for Garlic Bread
- 2 tbsp soft butter for Garlic Bread
- 1 tsp chopped parsley for Garlic Bread
- 1 tsp minced garlic for Garlic Bread
Instructions
- Heat the oven for the bread to 400
- Heat the salted pasta water
- Combine butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl. Set aside for the garlic bread
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan
- Sauté the onions and the garlic. Make sure not to burn the garlic
- Cook the ground turkey (or ground beef) in the same pan
- Add Italian seasonings
- Add a jar of Marinara sauce
- Using the same jar, add wine or water and swirl to get all the sauce out of the jar
- Simmer the sauce while you make the bread & pasta
- Slice the bread in half, length-wise, and spread the compound butter mixture on both sides
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 400
- Cook pasta according to package directions
- Finish pasta in the sauce
- Top with a basil chiffonade and serve with parmesan cheese and garlic bread
Video
Nutrition
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Member of the 40 under 40 class, Betty Hill and her ground turkey spaghetti sauce