Low Fat Penne Bolognese

Indulge in a comforting classic with a healthy twist by trying this Low Fat Penne Bolognese recipe. Made with whole grain penne pasta and lean ground turkey, this dish offers a lighter, protein-packed alternative without sacrificing flavor. A rich and hearty sauce combines finely sautéed vegetables—onion, carrot, and celery—with fragrant garlic, crushed tomatoes, low sodium chicken broth, and a blend of dried herbs like oregano and basil. Simmered to perfection, the sauce develops deep, savory flavors while maintaining a lower fat profile. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this wholesome meal is ready in just under an hour and serves four, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep. Perfect for those seeking a low-fat, high-fiber option that doesn’t compromise on taste, this recipe is a guilt-free way to enjoy Italian comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams whole grain penne pasta
• 250 grams lean ground turkey
• 1 medium onion
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 medium celery stalk
• 2 garlic cloves
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 250 ml low sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Finely dice the onion, carrot, and celery. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Increase heat to medium-high and add the lean ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, low sodium chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaf.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Step 9

While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole grain penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Serve the sauce over the cooked penne pasta, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1487.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1740.8

Total Fat 40.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 178.6mg	0%
Sodium 2515.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 271.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.4g	0%
Total Sugars 33.0g
Protein 100.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 337.4mg	0%
Iron 20.1mg	0%
Potassium 3466.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.8%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 58.6%