Sunday, February 12, 2012

Penne with Light Turkey Ragu


     This pasta recipe is pretty guilt-less and packs a ton of flavor. I love eating pasta and
  don't always have the time to make bolognese sauce and sometimes I just want a lighter
  dish and this is a winner. Serve with your favorite white wine and you will be in bliss.

                                                     Penne with Light Turkey Ragu

      1-2 tablespoons of olive oil
      2 leeks white and green parts only, finely chopped
      2 garlic cloves minced
      1 pound ground turkey
      1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
      salt and pepper
      1/4 teaspoon oregano
      1/4 teaspoon parsley
      1/4 cup fresh basil and more for top
      3 tablespoons parmesan cheese and more for top
      12 ounces penne
      2 tablespoons half and half

     1) Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet
     over medium high heat. Add the leeks, garlic and turkey and cook, stirring until the
     turkey browns slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 2 cups of water and spices.
     Increase the heat to high, bring the sauce to a boil and cook 5 minutes and reduce the
     heat to medium, add half of the basil and parmesan and simmer about 10 minutes.
     2) Add cooked sauce into the pasta and serve. Add extra cheese and basil.

36 comments:

  1. We love Pasta too, and this is a great dish, fast too!

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  2. oh my lordy, that looks delicious!!

    thanks for sharing!

    happy sunday! <3

    hugs, xo!
    MY BLOG* BARBIE-BOMBSHELL.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  3. Goodness! I have typed and retyped this comment because I don't have adequate words to express how good and beautiful this is. Gah! You're so talented!

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  4. I think I could eat pasta and Mexican food everyday of my life! This looks so good! I love turkey meat, too. I hope you had a great weekend!

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  5. Hi Val! Thanks for commenting on my blog! Would love for you to be a follower! This recipe looks delicious! I always love reading about your awesome recipes! Have a great night!

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  6. I will be making this ASAP! This looks beyond delicious and will make for great leftovers throughout the week! xo

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  7. yum! I cooked with ground turkey for the first time last week and loved it. this will be on this weeks to do list!

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  8. I've never made ragu but I don't cook pasta a lot because my dad doesn't like it, I will finf some time to make it because it looks pretty good

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  9. This looks like a perfectly hearty meal for winter!! :)

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  10. i had a very similar version of this this week!! Great find, i'm hungry all over again.

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  11. This looks delicious! It's special enough for me and simple enough to pass off as chop suey for the family. The best of both worlds!

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  12. I basically qualify as a full blown pasta addict (I just can't seem to stay away from it!) so this recipe is perfect for me :) The bf will love it too since it's tomato-based - win-win!

    I bought all of the ingredients to make your macaroni and cheese soup for tomorrow night, can't wait to see how it turns out :)

    xxx
    Jenna

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  13. This looks delicious! I love using turkey.
    xoxo

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  14. Sounds so yummy...minus the turkey for me though. Your photos look great, Val :)

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  15. Wow! This looks so good to be the healthy version! Yum Yum Yum! Btw you photograph your food so beautifully. It is so hard to get good pics of food and yours always looks gorgeous!

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  16. Yum! You make even the simplest dishes look divine! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Sounds wonderful, Val. I love to substitute ground beef with turkey and this is the perfect place to do it. Yum.

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  18. So pretty! We're a pasta-loving family over here so this is right up my alley !

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  19. This sounds delicious and I love the 'lightened sauce'.

    PS - I made a variation on your bread sticks in my latest blog post :)

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    Replies
    1. I saw that and your version looks and sounds amazing. Next, time I'm trying it your way!! YUM

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  20. gorgeous pasta dish, this looks awesome!

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  21. that looks amazing and i am especially loving the shaved sheets of parm on top...mmm!

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  22. What a yummy and wholesome recipe, Val! This looks so delicious and right up my alley - I love healthy comfort food! Thanks for sharing your recipe and lovely photos. Have a nice Valentine's Day!

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  23. I could survive off pasta for the rest of my life! This looks splendid!

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  24. Gimme gimme gimme! I have some ground turkey in my freezer, so I might need to defrost and whip up this tasty recipe. :) Thanks for sharing this one, Val!

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  25. Tasty and guilt-free, I definitely need a dinner like this soon!

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  26. wow Val...looks fantatic and not that I run 30 miles a week I am actually allowed to have pasta sometimes

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  27. Love light dishes... looks wonderful! Love the new look of your blog :)

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  28. This looks fabulous! Pasta is always welcome at our table. Thanks! And I agree...your food pics are so great!

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  29. Yum! This looks great-- as does the new blog style!

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  30. This looks & sounds amazing! It might actually be something I can make!

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  31. We are pasta lovers too! This looks lovely!

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  32. Sounds so yummy...minus the turkey for me though. Your photos look great, Val :)

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  33. Val,
    I am here with Sam doing makeup. Couldn't be having a better time. After scanning your blog I am not only very impressed, but wondering if I should have gone with one of my other natural talents and true loves-food. I've been cooking my entire life, and was raised in an Italian culture where food is "life" is so many ways. Culinary school was certainly on my list. You are such an inspiration and an amazing talent! I can not wait to read on. You also present food so beautifully.

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