Description
Ina Garten’s turkey bolognese delivers rich, hearty flavors from classic Italian cuisine. Simmered with aromatic herbs and tender ground turkey, this comforting sauce invites you to savor a delicious meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) dark turkey meat
- 1 lb (454 g) fusilli pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, plus a bit more for later
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry white wine
- 1 can (6 oz/170 g) tomato paste
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 small carrots or 2 large, coarsely chopped
- 3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Parmesan rind
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 0.5 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and gather all ingredients for a seamless cooking experience.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a large skillet, gently melt butter and olive oil, then introduce finely chopped onions, allowing them to become translucent and fragrant.
- Vegetable Medley: Pulse carrots and celery in a food processor, then add to the skillet with minced garlic, sautéing briefly to release their essential flavors.
- Protein Integration: Fold ground turkey into the vegetable mixture, browning thoroughly and creating a rich, caramelized texture that develops depth of flavor.
- Flavor Layering: Deglaze the skillet with white wine, then incorporate tomato paste, milk, bay leaves, and Parmesan rind. Season with salt and pepper, allowing the ingredients to meld and simmer for several minutes.
- Slow-Cooking Process: Cover the skillet and transfer to the preheated oven, letting the sauce develop its complex flavors for 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves and Parmesan rind upon completion.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook fusilli in salted water until al dente, reserving a small amount of pasta water before draining.
- Final Assembly: Return pasta to the pot, introducing a splash of reserved water, a touch of butter, and freshly grated Parmesan. Combine with the turkey sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Serving Finale: Plate the dish in warmed bowls, garnishing with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to elevate the visual and flavor profile.
Notes
- Slow-Cook for Depth: Oven braising transforms the sauce, intensifying flavors and tenderizing meat through gentle, consistent heat.
- Vegetable Precision: Finely chopping carrots and celery ensures even cooking and seamless integration into the sauce’s texture.
- Wine Enhancement: Adding white wine creates complexity, deglazing the pan and introducing subtle acidic undertones that elevate the overall taste.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved pasta water acts as a secret weapon, helping to bind sauce to pasta and creating a silky, cohesive final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 605
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg