Slow Cooker Turkey Meat Sauce for Pasta (from scratch)

Categories : main dishes, meat & poultry, pasta & rice, Recipes, Slow Cooker @en

Delicious meat sauce, almost a Bolognese, with minced (ground) turkey breast instead of beef. Loaded with veggies, this sauce is nutritious, filling and very tasty. Preparing it in the slow cooker means it’s also the easiest sauce ever!

Hi all! I hope you still remember me!

Yes, I’ve been feeling very guilty about these huge delays in posting my English recipes. This meat sauce has been up on the Greek side since ~~last week~~ I don’t even remember when, and I only got round to starting this post last night. So, sorry guys. But better late than never, right?

Slow Cooker Turkey Meat Sauce for Pasta (from scratch) www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A close up of a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce. The spaghetti has been mixed with a fork which is protruding from the food. To the top of the plate is a small saucepan with extra sauce in it. Barely visible to the left is a small bowl of grated cheese.

So the meat sauce. It’s delicious. It’s also nutritious and filling, and super easy. I tried it both the slow cooker and also in a saucepan the traditional way. It’s just as good, although the slow cooker method… yes, you guessed it… is waaaaay easier.

If you remember one thing from this post, let it be this. Turkey meat does not need browning before slow cooking! Honestly! What a life saver! I love a good Spag Bol with beef, but you really really have to brown beef before slow cooking it. Otherwise it kind of turns to liquid? I can’t explain it, it just gets too soft and mushy. But this doesn’t happen with turkey. Yay! So, this sauce comes together with my all-time favourite method. Throw it all in and go about your day. Just one stir a couple of hours after it starts, to break up the meat. That’s it. Brilliant.

Slow Cooker Turkey Meat Sauce for Pasta (from scratch) www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A side view of a plate of spaghetti with sauce mixed in. A fork is sitting on the plate with some spaghetti wrapped around its tongs. In the background a small saucepan, a bowl of chopped parsley and a cheese grater (barely visible in the corner).

If you’re wondering what to make for dinner tomorrow, here you go! Pasta with Turkey Bolognese!

Slow Cooker Turkey Meat Sauce for Pasta (from scratch) www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A similar set up to the main photo, with two plates of spaghetti with sauce on top.

Ingredients

2 + 4 Tbs olive oil

1 onion, medium, finely chopped (about 120gr after prep)

1 carrot, medium, grated (about 100gr after prep)

1 celery stalk, large, finely chopped (about 120gr after prep)

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 60gr after prep)

400gr turkey breast meat, minced (ground)

400gr tinned tomatoes (chopped) with their juices

3 Tbs parsley, chopped

1 Tbs tomato paste (puree)

1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

2 bay leaves

1 tsp paprika, sweet

1 tsp thyme, dried

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp pepper, freshly ground

500gr spaghetti (or other favourite pasta)

Step 1

Mix the chopped vegetables (onion, carrot, celery, red pepper) with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and spread them in the bottom of the slow cooker insert.

Step 2

Layer the minced turkey on top, spreading as best you can.

Step 3

Mix the rest of the ingredients (tomatoes, parsley, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, paprika, thyme, salt, sugar and pepper) and pour them over the meat.

Step 4

Cook on low for about 9 hours, stirring once after about 3 hours to break up the meat, and then again if you want later on. Make sure there are no lumpy bits of turkey.

Step 5

Serve with your favourite pasta and some grated cheese.

Notes:
Times in the slow cooker always depend on the size of the pot in relation to the quantity of the ingredients, the type of meat you are cooking, and the make/model of your appliance. Some may be quicker cooking, so keep an eye out when you first try a recipe.

The sauce can be made in the saucepan. Sauté the turkey first, remove from the pan, sauté the veggies, then add all the ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and let simmer for about 45 minutes for best results.

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