Turkey Bolognese with Rigatoni

I went to my freezer with all intentions of removing a package of chicken leg quarters but they were frozen solid and would never properly thaw by dinnertime.

I grabbed a package of ground turkey instead. I have carrots and onions and plenty of garlic so I am good to go. Plus, you can cook ground meats from a frozen stage without any taste change.

Bolognese sauce is so easy and once you get all the flavors built up it simply simmers on low for at least two hours while you get more work done. In this case, I could really use the break from cleaning, I have all but the kitchen to finish so I will cook first then clean my stove. No sense cleaning the stove to mess it up again.

Easy Turkey Bolognese Sauce
* 1 pound ground white meat turkey
* 2 Italian hot sausages, casings removed
* 1/2 med Vidalia onion, chopped
* 2 carrots grated
* 3 large cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 cup white wine
* 1 bay leaf
* freshly grated nutmeg
* 1 cup grape tomatoes or chopped
* salt & pepper
* water
* 1/2 cup grated cheese
* 1 box pasta

Saute sausage meat, onions, carrots and garlic until browned. Add turkey and saute for at least 5 minutes or until all water has evaporated.
Add milk and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add tomato paste and saute until the bottom of the pan develops browning. Add wine to deglaze pan. Simmer until liquid is gone.
Add bay leaf and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes and pepper.
Simmer until tomatoes break down and mixture thickens. Add water to level of meat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Set a pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta 1-2 minutes less then package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup boiling water.
Remove cover and simmer until most of liquid has dissipated.
Add grated cheese and stir in pasta. If sauce is too dry add some pasta boiling water to loosen it up.