4.8 from 57 votes
Cheater's Spicy Turkey Mushroom & Wine Pasta Sauce
This is a common way I doctor up a plain jar of marinara for spaghetti night. It's thick, rich and meaty, loaded with identifiable veggies and tastes great with pasta, zoodles, spaghetti squash etc.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 345 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
FOR DOCTORED MARINARA SAUCE:
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound hot italian turkey sausage removed from casings
- 8 ounces mushrooms
- 1 medium onion chopped
- ½ bell pepper chopped
- 1 carrot peeled and diced
- 1-2 large cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon fennel seed crushed
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup red wine
- sprinkle fresh herbs such as parsley or basil optional
- Parmesan rind optional
Instructions
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet over medium high heat. Add the turkey sausage and break apart with the back of a spoon or fork. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until mostly cooked. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
- Return the skillet to the heat and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the mushrooms and cook in a single layer, turning occasionally until the mushrooms have shrunk by about half and have browned.
- Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil and stir in the onion, bell pepper and carrots. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic, crushed fennel seed, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook for one minute or until the garlic and herbs are fragrant.
- Add the turkey back to the pot and stir in the marinara sauce and wine. If you have a leftover parmesan rind, add it to the sauce to simmer (just be sure to remove it before serving).
- Cover with the lid, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce, starts to burn or gets too thick, you can add a little more wine (about 1/4 cup) or half a ladle of pasta water to thin it out.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
345kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
60mg
(20%)
Sodium
1963mg
(82%)
Potassium
1125mg
(32%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
3950IU
(79%)
Vitamin C
70mg
(78%)
Calcium
67mg
(7%)
Iron
13mg
(72%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 345kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 60mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 1963mg | 82% |
| Potassium | 1125mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 3950IU | 79% |
| Vitamin C | 70mg | 78% |
| Calcium | 67mg | 7% |
| Iron | 13mg | 72% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.