Description
A healthy and flavorful zucchini noodle bolognese featuring tender spiralized zucchini sautéed to perfection and topped with a rich, homemade turkey or beef bolognese sauce simmered with tomatoes, herbs, and a splash of red wine. This low-carb, nutritious dish is perfect for those seeking a wholesome alternative to traditional pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Zoodles
- 6 medium zucchini, spiralized
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- ½ cup dry red wine
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Zucchini Noodles: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes until tender but still slightly crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook Vegetables for Sauce: In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté the chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become translucent, building the flavor base for the sauce.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground turkey or beef to the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, then drain any excess fat to keep the sauce lean and healthy.
- Simmer the Bolognese Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken.
- Combine and Serve: Return the sautéed zucchini noodles to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat the noodles and heat through. Serve immediately garnished with freshly chopped basil for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or a plant-based meat alternative to suit your preference.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on your dietary needs.
- For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer longer, up to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To prevent zucchini from becoming watery, avoid overcooking the noodles and consider salting and draining them for 10 minutes before sautéing to reduce moisture.
- Skip the red wine if you prefer a non-alcoholic version; substitute with beef or vegetable broth.
