Ground Turkey Bolognese (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Hearty, flavorful and delicious, this easy ground turkey bolognese is combined with short pasta for a big plate of comfort food that is a balm to the soul. Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too!

Bolognese – A Hearty Comfort Food

When I first moved to Buenos Aires, and we were still staying with Juan’s family, his mum Susana would often cook pasta every Sunday – a family tradition in their Italian-Spanish family that would result in a rich and delicious aroma that would draw the whole family to the kitchen.

The ingredients Susana used would vary depending on what was available at the butcher’s that day, but more often than not, she would make a large pot of beef bolognese sauce, and sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated cheese on top.

Easy Ground Turkey Bolognese

Today, I’m recreating the classic bolognese sauce we know and love but I’m adding a slight twist – instead of beef, I’m opting for a healthier choice of turkey, and am substituting gluten-free short pasta for wheat spaghetti.

Susana usually makes her traditional tomato sauce from scratch, but I chose to use a jar of premade pasta sauce instead, since it would save me time without losing any of the flavor. 

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this ground turkey bolognese recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Using storebought pasta sauce to save time without losing any of the flavor, this ground turkey bolognese is an easy weeknight dinner that comes together easily.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this healthy bolognese sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy this delicious dinner on pasta night without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need + Recipe Notes/Substitutions:

Here’s an overview of the ingredients required for this ground turkey bolognese recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

• Ground Turkey: Since this is a recipe for ground turkey bolognese, ground turkey is a key ingredient (lean ground turkey is a healthier choice). However, you can always substitute minced turkey for other types of meat such as ground beef, ground pork or ground chicken if you prefer.
• Thyme: I used fresh thyme leaves, but you can also use 1/3 teaspoon of dried thyme if that’s what you have.
• Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but feel free to use any vegetable oil you like (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil).
• Onion: I used a yellow onion, but you can always use a white onion or red onion too.
• Garlic: Make sure to use fresh minced garlic for maximum flavor. I really enjoy the taste of garlic, so I used 2 large cloves, but if you want a more subtle flavor, feel free to reduce the amount of garlic.
• Pasta Sauce: You can either use homemade sauce or buy storebought sauce for convenience (either is fine).
• Pasta: I used gluten-free short pasta to keep this recipe gluten-free, but you can go ahead and use gluten-free spaghetti or your favorite pasta type or fresh pasta if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular pasta instead.
• Basil: Fresh basil is a lovely complement to this ground turkey bolognese pasta. Alternatively, you may also use fresh parsley if you prefer.
• Parmesan Cheese: I used dairy-free parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular grated parmesan cheese instead.

How to Make Ground Turkey Bolognese (Step by Step):

1. Combine Ground Turkey with Thyme

In a bowl, mix ground turkey with fresh thyme leaves and set aside.

2. Sauté Veggies

Sauté diced onions in a large skillet, heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, until onions turn translucent (a few minutes) Add in garlic and stir well with a wooden spoon until fragrant (30 seconds).

3. Cook Turkey Until Browned

Add in ground turkey-thyme mixture and mix until turkey is browned and cooked.

4. Add Pasta Sauce and Simmer

Pour in pasta sauce and bay leaves and bring heat down to low. Add salt to taste then let turkey bolognese sauce cook and simmer for the next 30 to 45 minutes.

5. Cook Pasta

As bolognese sauce is almost finished simmering, cook gluten-free pasta in a large pot of salted water on a separate burner according to package directions.

When the pasta is cooked, pour pasta into a strainer and run cold tap water over to prevent it from cooking further.

6. Add Cooked Pasta and Mix Well

Once the ground turkey bolognese sauce is done, add in the cooked pasta and mix well.

7. Garnish and Serve

Divide pasta evenly between 4 plates and garnish with torn basil leaves and grated dairy-free parmesan cheese.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Use Other Proteins: Feel free to substitute the minced turkey for other types of meat such as ground beef, ground pork or ground chicken if you prefer.
• Make It Vegetarian: If you wish to keep this hearty sauce completely vegetarian or vegan, you can substitute the ground meat for chopped portobello mushrooms or crumbled tofu.
• Low Carb Option: Want an lighter option of this pasta bolognese? Use zucchini pasta instead, spaghetti squash instead or konjac noodles instead or gluten-free or regular pasta.
• Serve with Meatballs: If you want a more protein packed meal, serve this sauce with turkey meatballs instead of pasta.

Recipe FAQs:

Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes You’ll Love:

Gluten-Free Main Dishes to Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

Turkey Bolognese with Gluten-free Fusilli

---

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

• Author: felicia | Dish by Dish
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty, flavorful and delicious, this easy ground turkey bolognese is combined with short pasta for a big plate of comfort food that is a balm to the soul. Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too!

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) of pasta sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt to taste
• 12 oz uncooked gluten-free short pasta
• 1/4 cup torn basil leaves for garnishing
• 1/2 cup grated dairy-free parmesan cheese, for garnishing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine Ground Turkey with Thyme: In a bowl, mix ground turkey with fresh thyme leaves and set aside.
2. Sauté Veggies: Sauté diced onions in a large saucepan over medium heat, until onions turn translucent (a few minutes) Add in garlic and stir well until fragrant (30 seconds).
3. Cook Turkey Until Browned: Add in ground turkey-thyme mixture and mix until turkey is browned and cooked.
4. Add Pasta Sauce: Pour in pasta sauce and bring heat down to low.
5. Let Simmer: Add salt to taste then let turkey bolognese simmer for the next 30 to 45 minutes.
6. Cook Pasta: As bolognese sauce is almost finished simmering, cook gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta is cooked, pour pasta into a strainer and run cold tap water over to prevent it from cooking further.
7. Add Cooked Pasta to Bolognese Sauce: Once bolognese sauce is done, add in the cooked pasta and mix well.
8. Garnish and Serve: Divide pasta evenly into 4 plates and garnish with torn basil leaves and grated dairy-free parmesan cheese.

Notes

Ground Turkey: Since this is a recipe for ground turkey bolognese, ground turkey is a key ingredient. However, you can always substitute minced turkey for other types of meat such as ground beef, ground pork or ground chicken if you prefer.

Thyme: I used fresh thyme leaves, but you can also use 1/3 teaspoon of dried thyme if that’s what you have.

Olive Oil: I like using extra virgin olive oil, but feel free to use any vegetable oil you like (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil).

Onion: I used a yellow onion, but you can always use a white onion or red onion too.

Garlic: Make sure to use fresh minced garlic for maximum flavor. I really enjoy the taste of garlic, so I used 2 large cloves, but if you want a more subtle flavor, feel free to reduce the amount of garlic.

Pasta Sauce: You can either make your own pasta sauce or buy storebought sauce for convenience (either is fine).

Pasta: I used gluten-free short pasta to keep this recipe gluten-free, but you can go ahead and use gluten-free spaghetti as well. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use regular pasta instead.

Basil: Fresh basil is a lovely complement to this ground turkey bolognese pasta. Alternatively, you may also use fresh parsley if you prefer.

Parmesan Cheese: I used dairy-free parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular grated parmesan cheese instead.

Storing: To store, place this ground turkey bolognese pasta in an airtight container and store for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Note: Recipe inspired by Juan’s mum, Susana. This recipe was originally posted in 2015, but has since been republished to included clearer step-by-step instructions, notes and substitutions, as well as nutritional information.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Recipe Card powered by