Use up leftover turkey with this quick turkey bolognese — shredded turkey in a rich, comforting ragu. Ready in about 30 minutes.
After the holiday feast it’s nice to have something simple and familiar. This turkey bolognese follows the same method as a classic spaghetti bolognese — I don’t change a good thing — but swaps leftover cooked turkey for the usual mince. It’s an excellent way to transform small bits of turkey into a saucy, flavourful pasta dinner.
📋 What do we need?
- Turkey – leftover cooked turkey, shredded or finely chopped. Use all the small pieces you can rescue.
- Tinned tomatoes – finely chopped tomatoes give a thicker texture; passata also works well.
- Wine – any red wine you have on hand (a simple merlot is fine).
🔪 How to make this turkey bolognese
Full recipe and measurements are in the recipe card below.
1. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and soften the onion for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
2. Add finely diced carrot, celery and mushrooms and cook for a further 2–3 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the chopped or shredded turkey, then pour in the red wine. Bring to a boil and let it bubble for 2–3 minutes to reduce.
4. Add tomato puree, dried oregano and thyme, Worcestershire sauce, a crumbled chicken stock cube, tinned chopped tomatoes, a little sugar to balance acidity, and salt and pepper. Stir, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat.
5. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes until the sauce is glossy and thick. At this point cook your spaghetti so everything finishes together.
PRO TIP: Start the pasta when the bolognese first comes to a simmer so both are ready at the same time.
Serve the ragu over spaghetti and finish with chopped spring onions (scallions) and grated parmesan.
🍽️ What to serve it with
- Fresh pasta or cooked spaghetti
- Garlic bread or cheesy garlic pizza bread
- Chunks of crusty artisan bread
📺 Watch how to make it
🍲 More leftover turkey recipes
Asian
Sweet and Sour Turkey
Seasonal & Holiday
Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake with Ham and Cheese
Curries
Leftover Turkey Tikka Masala
Appetizers
Crispy Turkey Nachos
Dinner
Leftover Turkey Risotto
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Leftover Turkey Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled and finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 1 stick of celery, finely diced
- 3 chestnut mushrooms, finely diced
- 300 g (10.5 oz) leftover cooked turkey, finely chopped or shredded
- 120 ml (½ cup) red wine
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 chicken stock cube, crumbled
- 2 x 400 g (14 oz) tins finely chopped tomatoes
- ½ tbsp granulated or caster sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
To serve:
- Cooked spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
- Small bunch spring onions/scallions, chopped
- Grated parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the carrot, celery and mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add the chopped turkey, stir, then pour in the wine. Bring to the boil and simmer 2–3 minutes until reduced by about three quarters.
- Add the tomato puree, oregano, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, crumbled stock cube, tinned tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to the boil.
- Turn down the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened. Cook the spaghetti while the sauce simmers.
- Spoon the bolognese over the spaghetti and sprinkle with spring onions and grated parmesan before serving.
Notes
Can I make it ahead or freeze?
Because the turkey has already been cooked once, then reheated for this dish, it’s best to avoid reheating it a third time. Make enough for the meal you need rather than planning multiple reheats.
Ingredient swaps
If you have leftover vegetables from the holiday dinner, add them in — carrots and green beans work well. Leftover roast beef can replace the turkey; chop it finely for best results.
Scaling
Adjust quantities up or down keeping the same ratios.
Nutritional information
Nutrition shown is approximate and is for the bolognese only (not including pasta, spring onions or parmesan).
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 18 g |
Protein: 15 g |
Fat: 7 g |
Saturated Fat: 1 g |
Cholesterol: 38 mg |
Sodium: 942 mg |
Fiber: 4 g |
Sugar: 10 g
Nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide.
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