One-Pot Beef and Broccoli Red Lentil Pasta
A comforting, meal-prep friendly pasta dish featuring high-protein red lentil rotini tossed with savory ground beef and tender broccoli florets in a garlic-onion butter sauce. It is a hearty and satisfying single-serving meal that scales beautifully for busy weekdays.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Rachel + Lila
Rachel 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 HealthEveryday 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
Steadier 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
Protein consistency
Make a nourishing habit easier
This is another practical opportunity to include protein and varied whole foods—small habits that are easier to repeat than a perfect diet.
Notice: protein across the day
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 · Saucepan
Time saver
Meal Prep Pro-Tip: This recipe scales easily. If batch cooking for 4 days, simply quadruple all ingredient quantities. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water to keep the lentil pasta from drying out.
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 6 steps complete
Next: Bring a medium saucepan filled with water…
- 01
Bring a medium saucepan filled with water…
Bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil over high heat. Add the red lentil rotini and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, or until just tender. Drain the pasta, reserving 0.25 cup (60ml) of the starchy pasta water, and set aside.
Look for: just tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat the olive oil and butter in…
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for about 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan.
Look for: browned and cooked through
Tap card to mark done - 03
Turn the heat down to medium
Turn the heat down to medium. Add the red onion and broccoli florets to the skillet. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender.
Look for: the onion is translucent and the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the garlic clove
Add the garlic clove, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the garlic is highly fragrant.
Look for: the garlic is highly fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 05
Return the cooked beef and drained red…
Return the cooked beef and drained red lentil rotini to the skillet. Pour in the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
Look for: the sauce coats the pasta evenly
Tap card to mark done - 06
Divide into a meal prep container or…
Divide into a meal prep container or plate immediately. Enjoy warm or let cool completely before storing in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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