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This Easy Turkey Spaghetti might just become your new favorite way to make it! Using ground turkey, it’s something that my whole family loves.

Who doesn’t love a big plate of spaghetti? It’s a classic meal that everyone enjoys. But have you ever tried Turkey Spaghetti?
HERE IS WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING:
“I just made this sauce and this is a keeper!!! I used Trader Joe’s Spicy Chunky Tomato and Pepper Sauce. Perfect!” – K Dianne
This dish is easy to make, full of flavor, and a great way to enjoy a hearty meal with your family. That’s really what I’m all about.
Plus, using ground turkey makes it a bit lighter than traditional ground beef spaghetti. Less grease is never a bad thing!
I don’t know how many times I’ve made spaghetti on busy nights. It’s one of those meals that easy to throw together, but tastes great too.
Even picky eaters like spaghetti! The great thing about using ground turkey is that those picky ones probably won’t even know the difference.
In this recipe we’re using jarred marinara and spicing it up to our own tastes. Don’t forget the real parmigiano-reggiano cheese! There’s nothing better.
Once you’ve tried this homemade Turkey Spaghetti, you might never go back to the regular store bought sauce. Let’s get into it!
Some of our other favorite SPAGHETTI RECIPES we have on our site include: Baked Spaghetti and Meatball Sliders Recipe, Best Spaghetti Sauce with Homemade Meatballs and Sausage, and Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe.

Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE TURKEY SPAGHETTI:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT BOTTLED SUACE IS THE BEST TO USE?
- CAN I USE MY OWN SAUCE?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Easy Turkey Spaghetti (with Ground Turkey)
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Healthy and Flavorful: Using ground turkey instead of ground beef reduces the fat content without sacrificing flavor. The addition of Italian seasoning, garlic, and parmesan cheese gives the sauce a delicious taste that everyone will love.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a homemade meal.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can easily add extra veggies or swap out ingredients based on your family’s preferences. This recipe is flexible and forgiving, perfect for any cook!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Ground turkey
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Fennel seeds (freshly ground or ground fennel)
- Kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
- Parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated
- Jarred marinara sauce

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY SPAGHETTI:
- Add ground turkey, oregano, basil, garlic, fennel, salt, pepper, and cheese in a medium-sized bowl. Mix together until combined.
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the turkey sausage, breaking it into crumbles, and cooking until no pink is left. Drain any excess water or fat that might come off the turkey.
- Add the jarred sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT BOTTLED SUACE IS THE BEST TO USE?
I really like Rao’s marinara sauce for this ground turkey spaghetti recipe.
It has a rich, homemade taste that pairs perfectly with the turkey and spices.
But feel free to select options from your favorite jarred tomato sauces.
They all work well with this delicious recipe.
CAN I USE MY OWN SAUCE?
Absolutely! If you prefer to use your homemade spaghetti sauce, just keep the ratio the same.
This ground turkey spaghetti recipe is very flexible, and your homemade sauce can add a special touch to your meal.
It’s a great way to use up fresh tomatoes or incorporate red wine for added depth of flavor.

ANY ADDITIONS?
Here are 10 simple ideas for things you can mix/add into the recipe or top it with.
It’s all about the flavor:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Chopped bell peppers
- Spinach leaves
- Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Sliced black olives
- Fresh basil leaves
- Diced zucchini
- Grated mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
- A splash of balsamic vinegar for extra flavor
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
If you need to swap out some ingredients, here are some great ideas to get you started in the right direction:
- Ground turkey: Use ground chicken or extra lean ground beef.
- Parmigiano-reggiano cheese: Use parmesan cheese or pecorino romano.
- Kosher salt: Use sea salt or table salt.
- Fennel seeds: Use ground coriander for a different flavor.
- Jarred marinara sauce: Use your favorite homemade pasta sauce or another jarred tomato sauce.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil or vegetable oil for browning the meat.

HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezer: You can freeze the sauce separately for up to 3 months.
Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and freshly grated cheese add a lot of flavor to this dish. Don’t skip these!
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: This means cooking the pasta until it’s firm to the bite. This texture works well with the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Ground turkey can become dry if overcooked. Brown it just until it’s no longer pink.
- Add Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to make the dish even more nutritious.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve with Garlic Bread: A slice of garlic bread or a fresh salad makes a perfect side dish.

Want a tasty, easy, comforting dish for a dinnertime meal?
Then you need to make this Turkey Spaghetti – super tasty!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Easy Turkey Spaghetti (with Ground Turkey)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds freshly ground (or ground fennel)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese fresh grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce*
Instructions
- Add ground turkey, oregano, basil, garlic, fennel, salt, pepper, and cheese in a medium-sized bowl. Mix together until combined.1 pound ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the turkey sausage, breaking it into crumbles, and cooking until no pink is left about 10 minutes. Drain any excess water or fat that might come off the turkey.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the jarred sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.24 ounces jarred marinara sauce*
- Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles.
Video
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and freshly grated cheese add a lot of flavor to this dish. Don’t skip these!
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: This means cooking the pasta until it’s firm to the bite. This texture works well with the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Ground turkey can become dry if overcooked. Brown it just until it’s no longer pink.
- Add Veggies: Feel free to add extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to make the dish even more nutritious.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve with Garlic Bread: A slice of garlic bread or a fresh salad makes a perfect side dish.
Nutrition
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I just made this sauce and this is a keeper!!! I used Trader Joe’s Spicy Chunky Tomato and Pepper Sauce. Perfect!
Very tasty and healthy!
This is so easy also!