Try this venison pasta

Hello comfort food champions!

Tonight you're going to discover why venison is the secret weapon of health-conscious cooks everywhere. This rustic pasta transforms a beautifully lean protein into something restaurant-worthy in under an hour, proving that the most nourishing meals are often the simplest. What's the secret? Venison is naturally 35% leaner than beef with significantly less saturated fat—yet packed with more iron, zinc, and B vitamins than chicken. One bowl delivers 35g of muscle-supporting protein while keeping your heart thriving.

Rustic Venison Tomato Pasta

Serves 4-5 generously

Recipe

Build your flavor foundation: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic.

Brown the venison: Increase heat to medium-high and add ground venison, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns (about 5-7 minutes). Venison has less fat than beef, so it browns quickly—watch for it to lose its red color but remain tender.

Deglaze and build depth: Pour in red wine, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits (this is where the flavor lives). Let simmer for 2 minutes until the alcohol reduces.

Create the sauce: Stir in tomato paste and let it caramelize slightly for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.

Simmer to perfection: Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and let simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should reduce slightly and darken. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Remove bay leaf.

Cook and combine: While sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. Add cooked pasta directly to the sauce, stirring gently. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Serve with celebration: Divide into bowls and top with fresh basil and shaved Parmesan.

The Secret Ingredient

Venison isn't just delicious—it's a nutritional powerhouse specifically beneficial for active, healthy aging. Unlike conventional beef, venison is rich in haem iron (the most absorbable form), zinc for immune strength, and B vitamins including B12 that protect cognitive function and support energy conversion. The naturally low fat and calorie profile means you're nourishing your body without the inflammatory burden of saturated fat. Plus, venison is a sustainable protein choice—deer population management through hunting actually protects forest ecosystems.

Pro Tip

This sauce is even better the next day as flavors meld and deepen—make a double batch and freeze half for future weeknight victories. The sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. When reheating, add pasta fresh to maintain the perfect texture. You can also brown the venison ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 2 days, which transforms dinner prep into a 15-minute assembly when you're ready to serve.

Know someone who thinks they can't have their comfort food and their health? Forward this and show them what real nourishment looks like.

Stay nourished,

Nahren Recipe Club Team

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