Sometimes dinner just needs to feel like Sunday sauce — but you’ve got a weeknight schedule and zero time for an all-day simmer. Enter my Cheater Bolognese: a rich, savory, macro-balanced comfort meal that comes together in about 30 minutes thanks to a little Trader Joe’s magic.
The hero? Trader Joe’s Mirepoix Mix. It’s pre-chopped onion, celery, and carrot — the flavor base that makes this dish taste like it’s been bubbling away for hours (without you lifting a knife). Pair it with fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic purée, and your choice of grass-fed beef or lean ground turkey, and you’ve got a hearty, high-protein dinner that hits every craving.
🛒 Ingredients
1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey
14.5 oz. Trader Joe’s Mirepoix Mix (or make your own with ⅔ cup each chopped celery, carrot, and onion)
1 cup chopped yellow onion
15 oz. tomato sauce
15 oz. fire roasted tomatoes with diced garlic
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
½ Tbsp. avocado garlic oil (olive or avocado oil both work)
1 Tbsp. garlic purée
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried thyme
👩🍳 Directions
Sauté the veggies:
Heat ½ Tbsp. avocado garlic oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mirepoix mix and chopped onion. Sauté 4–5 minutes until softened, seasoning with half of the salt and pepper. Add garlic purée and cook 2 more minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
Brown the meat:
In the same pan, add the ground beef or turkey. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 6–7 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
Simmer the sauce:
Add the sautéed mirepoix mixture back into the pan with the cooked meat. Stir in the oregano, basil, thyme, tomato paste, tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce.
Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 10–20 minutes to let the flavors deepen.
Serve and enjoy:
Spoon over your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash, or veggie noodles. Top with Parmesan cheese and capers if you like a briny kick (highly recommend).
Macros (per 6 servings, made with 93% lean ground turkey. Macros will vary slightly depending on protein choice and sauce brands. Using grass-fed beef bumps fat to about 13g per serving.)
Calories 245 / 27g protein / 13g carbs / 9g fat
Meal Prep Tip
This sauce keeps beautifully! Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze in single-serving portions for a quick, balanced meal anytime.
Craving more 20-minute Trader Joe’s hacks?
Try my Mediterranean Lentil Meatballs or Salmon Bruschetta over Lentil Salad next — both are family favorites and full of flavor.
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