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Pork & Bean Ragu with Lemon Orzo!

This ground pork and bean ragu that I made on a weeknight is rich, savory, and brothy, and served over bright lemon orzo. It is high in protein and low in calories, and it is also so DELICIOUS! This is another recipe that is proof "healthy" does not mean boring. This meal is great for meal prep, post-workout dinners, or just a cozy bowl of comfort food that will definitely love you back.


Makes 4 servings: 35g Protein, 7g Fiber, 494 Calories per serving
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Dietary: High Fiber, High Protein, Low Calorie
Description

Store the orzo and the ragu separately to hold the leftovers!

Ingredients
    For the Ragu:
  • 1 tsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Butter
  • 1/2 Onion, chopped
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 lb Ground Pork
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Fennel Seed, crushed
  • 1 cup Chicken Bone Broth
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach
  • Salt & Pepper
    • For the Lemon Orzo:
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
  • 112 g Dried Orzo Pasta
  • 1 cup Chicken Bone Broth
  • 1 cup Water
  • Zest of 1/2 of a Lemon
  • Salt & Pepper
Instructions
    For the Ragu:
  1. 1

    Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, wide skillet over medium heat, then add the onions.

  2. 2

    Season with salt & pepper, then add the garlic.

  3. 3

    Add the tomato paste and continue to cook until the tomato paste has incorporated and it has roasted a bit, being careful not to burn it.

  4. 4

    Crumble in the ground pork and add the Italian seasoning and fennel seeds, and continue to cook until the pork has browned.

  5. 5

    Add the bone broth and cherry tomatoes, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat, cover and continue to cook for about 5 minutes.

  6. 6

    Add the beans, cover and continue cook for about another 5 minutes.

  7. 7

    Stir in the spinach until it is wilted, and adjust the seasonings with salt & pepper, serve over Lemon Orzo, and enjoy!

    8. For the Lemon Orzo:
  8. 8

    Heat the garlic and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.

  9. 9

    Add the orzo, and toss with the garlic and olive oil.

  10. 10

    Add the bone broth, water, and lemon zest, then bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.

  11. 11

    Continue to simmer until the pasta is soft and it has absorbed all of the liquid.

  12. 12

    Adjust the seasonings with salt & pepper, top with the pork ragu, being sure to add some broth, and enjoy!

Keywords: High Protein Low Calorie, High Protein Dinner, Healthy Italian Food, Healthy Comfort Food, Italian Rau, Lemon Orzo, Bean Recipe, Pork and Beans, Ground Pork Recipe, Orzo Recipe, Fit Over 50, Weight Loss Meals, Calorie Deficit Meals
Read it online: https://fitover50foodie.com/recipe/pork-and-bean-ragu-with-lemon-orzo/
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FitOver50Foodie
I make delicious and satisfying high protein, high fiber, low calorie meals!

When I hit my 50s and went into menopause, it felt like my body had been taken over by an alien! Despite cooking at home and eating whole, clean foods, I started gaining weight, felt exhausted all the time, and—let’s be honest—I was mad at everyone!

I found myself visiting doctors often, desperate to feel healthy again.

Everything changed when I discovered the power of prioritizing protein at every meal and lifting heavy weights to build muscle! I finally feel like myself again!

I make delicious and satisfying high protein, high fiber, low calorie meals that work if you are in a calorie deficit, looking for protein, trying to build and retain muscle or just want some inspiration in the kitchen for what to cook and eat!

I can’t wait for you to join me in my kitchen!