Zucchini and Yellow Squash Noodles with Turkey Sausage Bolognese
Zucchini and Yellow Squash Noodles with Turkey Sausage Bolognese is a dish so hearty and satisfying, you won’t miss the pasta! #eatseasonal
I’m a little bit embarrassed that I bought a spiralizer that I had to have at the beginning of summer, then got so busy that it sat in the cabinet until I got back from vacation last week and used it. Have you ever done that? I also bought a pasta machine after I finished cooking school and it still sits in the boxed unused.
These squash noodles happened first because they’re a lot easier to make than fresh pasta, and yeah…it does happen to be squash season, too. 🙂
The funny thing about my new spiralizer is that I didn’t realize there were no instructions in the box until I went to use it.
I decided to wing it, and it was so easy to figure out that I was cranking out veggie noodles in no time.
I spiralized my zoodles using the thicker noodle attachment, and sautéed them up in a large pan with olive oil for about 3-5 minutes.
You want them to be al dente just like pasta — we want a nice, little crunch, not soggy, lifeless squash noodles.
This pasta sauce is basically my trusty stand-by as I love using turkey sausage over beef on most days. It’s loaded with turkey sausage and cremini mushrooms, and I always, always use San Marzano crushed tomatoes. This sauce is full proof, and it freezes well. For this recipe I used half of the batch, and froze the rest for a busy weeknight dinner emergency.
This meal is so hearty and delicious, you won’t miss the pasta one bit! The squash noodles are every bit as satisfying, yet still light so you don’t feel weighed down. And of course they’re naturally gluten free!
You betcha I won’t wait as long to use my spiralizer next time…I have endless ideas for other veggie and fruit noodles.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash Noodles with Turkey Sausage Bolognese
Ingredients
For the turkey sausage bolognese:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms washed and sliced
- 1 onion peeled and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb. mild Italian turkey sausage
- 56 ounces crushed San Marzano tomatoes 2 large cans
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ½ tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
For the squash noodles:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 small zucchini stem and bottom removed
- 2 small yellow squash stem and bottom removed
- salt and pepper to taste
- grated parmesan for serving
Instructions
Prepare the bolognese:
- In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms have softened and browned, about 5 minutes. Place in a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute 8 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and saute 30 seconds more. Add the turkey sausage to pan and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook about 5 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, parsley, oregano, mushrooms, and salt and pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes. Check the seasoning, and add more salt if necessary. You will only need half of the sauce for this recipe.
Prepare the noodles:
- Spiralize the noodles according to your spiralizer instructions. Break up the noodles into about 5" lengths. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the squash noodles, salt and pepper, to taste, and saute 3-5 minutes, or al dente. Do not overcook.
- Place the noodles in a large bowl and toss with about half of the bolognese. The remaining sauce may be frozen for future use. Serve with grated parmesan and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
54 Comments on “Zucchini and Yellow Squash Noodles with Turkey Sausage Bolognese”
Zucchini, yellow squash paring sounds divine! Absolutely DROOLICIOUS noodles, Marcie!
Thank you, Anu! These were my favorite noodles ever.
Oh this dish looks fantastic, Marcie! I love the noodles you created! They sound healthy and perfect to use up all of the fresh summer veggies with. And the bolognese sauce looks so hearty, my husband would love this!
Thank you so much, Gayle! This was a nice change from regular pasta and I honestly liked it more!
This looks DELICIOUS Tanya! I love those colorful veggie noodles and that sauce…ah-mazing!
You know my brain just malfunctioned right Marcie? LOL! Geesh! Happy Monday 😉
Haha — it happens, Trish! Thank you and hope you’re having a great week!
I’ve just started making zucchini noodles and I LOVE them! These look fabulous 🙂
Thank you, Medha! I’m sorry I waited so long to do this!
I hope you guys had an awesome time in Maui!! I made my husband buy me a spiralizer for my birthday last year and I’ve only used it few times! Shame on me, haha! And I’ve only used zucchini a few times this summer. I think it is time for some zoodles in my kitchen! This sauce looks like the perfect topping 🙂
We had a great time in Maui — thanks, Izzy! Maybe we’ll both use our spiralizers more? I seriously loved these noodles more than pasta! 🙂
This looks so amazing, Marcie! Love that you used zucchini and yellow squash, they sound perfect with your turkey bolognese sauce. Wish I had a big plate for lunch right now!
Thank you, Kelly! I’m glad I finally busted this spiralizer out of the box and can’t wait to try more fun noodles. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Marcie, same thing happened to me last year when I got my spiralizer. . I was in such a rush to get the thing and didn’t use it .. until this year. . but now I use it a lot! 🙂 love this!! and your turkey-sausage-bolognese looks delish!!
I’m glad to know it’s not just me, and I see myself using it a lot now! Thanks, and have a great weekend, Alice! 🙂
This dish has my mouth watering! Oh, and I’ve definitely done a similar thing… I just HAD to have a kitchen scale ASAP and then I didn’t use it for weeks!!
I did the same thing with my kitchen scale…haha. Thanks, Sam! 🙂
I would love a spiralizer too but I’m afraid it’s too big of an appliance for the rare occasion that I would use it and for my small urban kitchen… BUT I still want it 😉 This dish looks perfect!
Space can definitely put a damper on how many kitchen appliances one has! I’m about out of space myself, but luckily my spiralizer is pretty small. haha Thanks, Becky! 🙂
Such a great dish, perfect for summer! I have a spiralizer, but only used it once… Pinning 🙂
Thank you for the pin, Mira! 🙂
I just want to eat oodles of these zoodles and yoodles! Ha ha. Couldn’t resist that. Looks amazing, Marcie. And that bolognese sauce!!!!
Haha — I had a little too much fun with this post, too! Thanks, Liz, and have a great weekend! 🙂
Love these yoodles! And the more sauce, the better. I love how lightened up yet indulgent this dish is. I need to get myself a spiralizer!
Thanks, Alyssa! I hope you get yourself a spiralizer — it’s so fun making veggie noodles! 🙂
Whenever I want a fresh produce dish I just come to your site! This looks amazing!! I NEED to get me a spiralizer!! 🙂
You’re so sweet — thank you, Renee! And the spiralizer is so much fun! 🙂
Hahah I have both a spiralizer and pasta maker. The pasta maker is still in the box but I did try the spiralizer to make ‘potatadooles’?? Once and that was it. Love the use of squash here as well as zucchini. And I have to try your pasta sauce with all that turkey sausage!!
I want to try potato noodles, too — with sweet potatoes! Maybe I’ll get my pasta maker out of the box soon? For now, I’m having fun making veggie noodles! haha
The yoodles and the zoodles all look amazing. The sauce makes it all even better.
I hear ya, I get so many things, props, serving ware and forget that it’s even there. I need to get a good spiralizer though, will look into the one you suggested.
Thank you, Ash! I know, I forget that I have things stowed away sometimes, which is crazy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Ha! I’ve definitely done that with things! I was all about ice pop molds and had to have them … and then once I got them as a gift they sat FOREVER!!! At least I’m making up for lost time 🙂
This dish looks fantastic! That sauce ….
It sounds like I’m not alone in the kitchen appliance/gadget department! haha Thanks, Ashley, and have a great weekend! 🙂
You’re not the only one that has appliances sitting there. I bought a spiralizer about a two years ago and I think I’ve used it once. That’s horrible huh? This dish looks delicious and healthy! And those zoodles look perfect!!
It’s not horrible, it happens! Out of sight out of mind, right? Thanks, Cyndi! 🙂
Healthy, filling and delicious!! zucchini and yellow squash noodles sounds amazing.. love this comfort food!!
This is completely comfort food! Who needs pasta? 🙂 Thanks, Arpita!
I see recipes like this and realize that I really must get a spiralizer, and use it! What a great idea, glad you’re putting it to use in such fun ways!
Thank you, Jess, and I definitely see myself using my spiralizer a lot! I hope you get one soon! 🙂
Way to break out the Dr. Seuss, Marcie! Ha ha! Also, I have a pasta maker attachment for my kitchen aid that is still in the box in the cupboard…should have bought the ice cream maker one! These yoodles and zoodles look oodles delicious. LOL I’ll stop now.
Thanks, Denise — I had a little too much fun with this post! haha I’m glad it’s not only me with this kitchen appliance thing — maybe we’ll both get our pasta makers out of the box soon? 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I have a spiralizer that didn’t come with instructions too! I still haven’t used it! Ha! I need to get on the ball!
I wonder if any of them come with instructions?? Luckily mine was easy to use! 🙂
The perfect summer “comfort” food!
So true, Cathy! 🙂
Love the zoodles, Marcie 🙂 It’s so funny how we “need” something and then it sits for a while, unused. It was the same with my pasta maker, too!
Thank you, Liren, and I’m hoping to bust out that pasta maker soon. 🙂
Thank you for the pin, Kennedy! 🙂
Hands down, one of my favorite things in the word are zoodles, and you my friend make them look even yummier than I already find them. Your photos are so beautiful.
You’re so sweet — thank you! It was my first time and gosh was this fun — can’t wait to make more!
I tend to stretch meat out and bulk dishes up with veggies like mushrooms, which is completely personal preference. I’m glad you were able to modify the recipe to suit your tastes and that you enjoyed it! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback on the recipe — thank you!
New to the doodle game, but I think this sounds amazing! Is there nutrition (calorie) info available for the dish? Looking forward to trying it! Thanks!
I’m sorry Warren, but I haven’t gotten around to calculating the nutrition information for this recipe yet. There are many online nutrition calculators like My Fitness Pal and Spark People that can help until then. I hope you enjoy the dish!