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Healthy Elbows Bolognese
A delicious, lighter take on classic Italian comfort food! This hearty recipe pairs ground meat, sweet onions, and a rich herb-infused tomato sauce with Fiber Gourmet Light Elbows for a satisfying, high-fiber meal that fits perfectly into a balanced lifestyle.
The secret to a fantastic Bolognese is letting savory ground meat simmer alongside aromatics, crushed tomatoes, and dried herbs until the sauce becomes rich and flavorful. By swapping traditional macaroni for Fiber Gourmet Light Elbows, every elbow curve captures the rich sauce and ground meatādelivering all the authentic pasta flavor you love with half the calories and a massive fiber boost.
1 bag (4 oz) Fiber Gourmet Light Elbows
4 oz ground turkey or lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 clove fresh garlic, minced + 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup marinara or tomato & basil sauce
1/2 cup crushed fresh tomatoes
1 tsp avocado oil (or preferred high-heat oil)
1 tbsp fresh chopped basil (optional)
1/4 cup diced mushrooms (optional)
2 tbsp shredded Italian cheese blend or grated Parmesan
Seasonings: 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp chili flakes, salt and black pepper to taste
ā Brown the meat well: Allow the ground turkey or beef to sear without moving it too much initially to build deep, savory flavor for the sauce.
ā Simmer to thicken: Let the sauce simmer uncovered for a full 5 minutes so the extra moisture from the crushed tomatoes evaporates, leaving a rich coating for the pasta.
ā Don't overcook the elbows: Cook the Fiber Gourmet Light Elbows until just al dente, as they will continue to absorb liquid once tossed with the hot Bolognese sauce.
Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions (and mushrooms, if using) along with the minced fresh garlic. SautĆ© for 3ā4 minutes until the onions are golden and fragrant.
Add the ground turkey or lean ground beef to the pan with the sautĆ©ed veggies. Break it up with a spoon and cook thoroughly for 5ā6 minutes until no longer pink.
Add the crushed fresh tomatoes, chopped basil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Lower the heat, pour in your favorite marinara sauce, and let it simmer for ~5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
Toss the drained Light Elbows directly into the pan of Bolognese sauce so the macaroni scoops up the savory meat and sauce. Top with your choice of shredded Italian cheese blend or grated Parmesan!
Yes! You can replace the ground meat with plant-based ground meat, cooked lentils, or extra diced mushrooms and use dairy-free cheese.
Absolutely. While Light Elbows are great for catching bits of meat inside the macaroni, our Light Penne or Light Rotini work wonderfully with Bolognese sauce as well.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3ā4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a small splash of water or extra marinara to loosen up the sauce.
Turn your favorite penne into creamy, comforting meals. High-fiber, satisfying pasta recipes made for easy weeknight cooking.
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