This is a must try Turkey Meat Sauce. It’s a version of sauce that uses bottled marinara sauce with added aromatics and shredded carrots. The flavor is intensely delicious. Whenever I’m not making from scratch tomato sauce, I fall back on using bottled sauce. Our favorite choice is RAO Marinara sauce – it absorbs the spices and herbs perfectly.
The choice of meat is dark turkey ground meat, but white meat can also be used. This sauce is also perfect to use when simmering meatballs. Using the bottled sauce saves time. No long simmering required. I do hope you enjoy this delicious version. Happy cooking!
You may also want to try these delectable recipes:
Rustic Tomato Soup Tutorial Video
Chicken Stew | Mediterranean Spices Tutorial Video
Quinoa with Roasted Portobello, Ground Turkey and Veggies Tutorial Video
How to Add Flavor to Bottled Pasta Sauce | Turkey Meat Sauce
Ground turkey meat and aromatics add an incredible depth of flavor. It is super delicious. I usually love to use bottled pasta sauce and the secret is to kick it up a notch.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 3 large cloves fresh garlic peeled and finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (can substitute sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional)
- 3/4 cups shredded carrots (about 2 small to medium)
- 1 teaspoon salt plus a pinch
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus a pinch
- 1 pound ground turkey (white or dark meat)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 8 ounces chicken stock
- 32 ounces pasta sauce (I use RAO Marinara Sauce)
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a 5 quart dutch oven pot using medium heat.
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Add the onions and sauté 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant
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Add in the garlic. Cook 30 seconds
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Add in the turmeric, paprika and hot pepper flakes if using. Cook 30 seconds
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Add in the shredded carrots. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir. Cook 2 to 3 minutes to develop flavor.
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Add in the turkey ground meat. Use the back of the spoon to break up the meat and mix to combine with carrots and aromatics. Cook 2 to 3 minutes.
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Add in the fresh cilantro, salt and freshly ground black peppe. Stir.
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Tie together the thyme and rosemary sprigs, bay leaf and cinnamon stick with a piece of kitchen twine.
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Add in the chicken stock and tomato sauce. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes. The color will darken and sauce will look thicker.
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Turn off the stove and serve with your favorite pasta.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Tutorial Video is available for How to Add Flavor to Bottled Pasta Sauce | Turkey Meat Sauce.
Nutritional information will vary depending on actual serving size.
Additional Notes:
The sauce can be used to simmer meatballs.
You can substitute ground chicken or ground beef.
