Creamy Pork and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl
Tender pork shoulder cooked with crisp broccoli in a rich garlic and onion cream sauce over fluffy quinoa. This high-protein, gluten-free meal is comforting and deeply satisfying.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Whitney + Lila
Whitney created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Everyday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Cook quinoa according to package directions and…
- 01
Cook quinoa according to package directions and…
Cook quinoa according to package directions and set aside.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat…
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat at 350°F (175°C) and add diced pork shoulder, cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until browned on all sides.
Look for: browned on all sides
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Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic…
Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Look for: fragrant and softened
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Pour in pasta sauce and half and…
Pour in pasta sauce and half and half, stirring well to combine into a smooth, creamy sauce.
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Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then add frozen broccoli florets, covering the pan with a lid for 4 to 5 minutes until the broccoli is warm and tender-crisp.
Look for: the broccoli is warm and tender-crisp
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Fold cooked quinoa directly into the simmering…
Fold cooked quinoa directly into the simmering sauce, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until fully heated through and coated.
Look for: fully heated through and coated
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Remove from heat and serve warm immediately
Remove from heat and serve warm immediately. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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