Spaghetti with Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce

From Everyday with Rachael Ray



Ingredients:
1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 pound ground turkey
Salt and black pepper
One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Directions:
1.In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.

2.Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat; add the onion and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Increase the heat to medium-high, crumble in the turkey, season with salt and black pepper and cook until the turkey is just no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley and cheese.

3.Toss the pasta with the sauce and 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, adding more water to thin the consistency, if desired. Serve immediately with more cheese.

Comments:
I really liked this, but what's not to like? Mmmm. Carbs. And yes, those are really whole wheat noodles. Trying to eat more healthfully and all...

I generally ignore the "add starchy cooking water to the sauce" instructions since I prefer a thicker sauce. This recipe was no different. In fact I was kind of afraid it was going to be totally runny, but it really thickened up in the last few minutes of cooking. Yay!