Spicy Turkey Bolognese

There is something to be said for a good go-to pasta recipe. I love bolognese sauce, but prefer when it's made with ground turkey or leaner protein alternatives. With big chunks of zucchini and pepper, the sauce is hearty, spicy, and goes well with some freshly grated Parmesan-Romano cheese. I provided a homemade basic marinara sauce (not tomato sauce) recipe below, but when you're cooking on a schedule, a nice store bought sauce is always an option. Simple to make, this is the perfect hearty meal that feels really good to inhale.

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients: 

3 28 oz. cans tomato, crushed (packed without citric acid)
12 cloves garlic, chopped coarsely
2 cups fresh basil, chopped fine 
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
Fresh black pepper

Method: 

1) On medium heat, saute garlic with olive oil until blond in color (not brown).
2) Once garlic is blond, add crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When boiling, reduce and add salt and fresh pepper.
3) Lower heat, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has become creamy (not chunky)
4) Remove sauce from heat and add chopped basil, stirring until thoroughly mixed.

Bolognese Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb organic turkey, ground
2 cups spinach, chopped
2 cups kale, chopped
2 cups bell peppers, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
2 bay leaves
4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups uncooked whole wheat spaghetti, penne or fusilli
1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese, grated
Fresh black pepper
2 tbsp cayenne pepper

Method:

1) In a sauce on medium heat, saute garlic and olive oil, until garlic is a blond color. Add black pepper, chopped onion and ground turkey.
2) Stirring frequently, cook turkey until barely any pink color left. 
3) Add previously made marinara sauce, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, spinach, kale, bell peppers, and tomatoes and cover. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4) Prepare pasta accordingly. Toss cooked pasta lightly in olive oil to prevent sticking.
5) Serve bolognese sauce in heaping portions over cooked pasta, and generously sprinkle with Pecorino-Romano cheese.