This ground turkey spaghetti is one of those recipes I turn to when I need a comforting, no-fuss dinner that won’t keep me in the kitchen all night. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor — all with just six ingredients! Whether you’re cooking on the stovetop, using a slow cooker, or tossing it all into the Instant Pot, this one’s easy to adapt to your schedule. Juicy ground turkey meets a garlicky marinara, and in about 30 minutes, you’ve got a dinner that everyone at the table will happily dig into.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
This recipe is a total lifesaver on weeknights when things are hectic. If my wife’s working late or our little one has after-school activities, this is my go-to. It’s hearty, not too heavy, and the protein boost from the turkey is always welcome. Plus, it’s the kind of meal you can keep playing with — switch the sauce, toss in extra veggies, or even change the meat. It’s endlessly customizable, which makes it a staple in our home.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Just six main ingredients — no endless list of spices or hard-to-find items. Here’s what you need to gather before you get started:
- Ground turkey
- Onion
- Marinara sauce (homemade or your favorite jar)
- Garlic (fresh or granulated)
- Olive oil
- Spaghetti noodles
- Salt & pepper to taste
Let’s Cook – 3 Ways to Make It
Whether you’re in a rush or have time to let the flavors simmer, here’s how you can pull this off:
1. Stovetop (Quickest – 30 Minutes)
Perfect for busy evenings. Here’s what to do:
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft.
- Toss in the ground turkey, season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook until browned.
- Pour in your marinara sauce. Let it simmer on low for 10–15 minutes so everything blends nicely.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti into the sauce or serve the sauce on top — your call.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs or parmesan if you’ve got it. Serve hot!
2. Slow Cooker (Best Flavor – Hands-Off)
Great when you’ve got time in the morning or early afternoon to let it all cook together:
- Sauté onions and brown the ground turkey in a pan.
- Add everything (cooked meat, onions, marinara, garlic, seasonings) to the slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Cook your spaghetti separately and combine when ready to serve.
3. Instant Pot (Fast + Hands-Off)
A quicker version of the slow-cooked flavor:
- Set Instant Pot to sauté mode, cook onions and brown the turkey.
- Add marinara and garlic, then seal and cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes.
- Quick release, stir well, and serve over spaghetti that you’ve cooked separately.
Quick Tips to Make It Even Easier
- I usually keep a batch of homemade marinara in the fridge or freezer, but a high-quality jarred sauce works beautifully.
- If you’re using jarred sauce, taste before adding more salt — some sauces are already seasoned enough.
- Granulated garlic is a solid substitute if you’re out of fresh garlic.
Variations and Substitutions
- Low-Carb? Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
- Gluten-Free? Choose a gluten-free spaghetti or lentil-based pasta.
- Make It a Sub Sandwich: Spoon the turkey marinara onto hoagie rolls, top with mozzarella, and toast.
- Add Veggies: Shredded carrots, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or riced cauliflower blend in without fuss.
- Different Protein: You can swap in ground chicken, lean beef, or even crumbled tofu.
- No Italian Seasoning? Mix your own with dried basil, oregano, and parsley.
Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly
This turkey spaghetti sauce is a dream for meal prep. I often double the batch and freeze half in airtight containers. It keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge or heat it gently straight from frozen on the stove.
How to Serve It
- Ladle over hot spaghetti and serve with a side salad or garlic bread.
- It’s excellent topped with grated parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped basil.
- If you’re going low-carb, serve the sauce over spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. If you’ve already mixed the sauce with the spaghetti, stir frequently while reheating so nothing sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen ground turkey?
Yes, just be sure to fully thaw it before browning so it cooks evenly.
What kind of marinara sauce should I use?
Go for one you love the taste of. I prefer a garlicky, no-sugar-added variety, but any favorite brand will work.
Can I add cheese to the sauce?
Absolutely. A handful of shredded mozzarella or parmesan stirred in at the end gives it a richer texture.
How do I make this spicier?
Add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the onions or mix in a splash of hot sauce to the marinara.
Turkey Spaghetti
Whip up a flavorful and effortless meal with this ground turkey spaghetti! It uses only six easy ingredients like savory marinara and lean turkey for a dish that’s as satisfying as it is simple.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1½ pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (no salt added)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 pound spaghetti
Instructions
- Warm a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil and diced onion, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and sauté until the onion softens, around 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Add in the ground turkey, then season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Break up the meat and cook until it's browned and no longer pink—about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the marinara sauce. Cover with a lid and bring to a fast simmer. Lower the heat and let it gently simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the spaghetti following package directions, then drain. Toss the noodles with the turkey sauce and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 441Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 121mgSodium 945mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 4gSugar 8gProtein 37g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This easy turkey spaghetti is one of those weeknight winners you’ll come back to again and again. Whether you make it quick on the stovetop or let it simmer slowly, the result is always cozy, filling, and full of flavor — with barely any effort. And the best part? It’s the kind of meal that gets better the next day, making leftovers something to look forward to.
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