• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Wellness
  • About
  • Subscribe

MyChefsApron logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Wellness
  • Stories
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Wellness
    • Stories
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Italian Recipes

    Published: Nov 3, 2017 · Modified: Sep 27, 2022 by Mariska Ramondino · This post may contain affiliate links

    Easy Italian Spiced Zucchini-Pork and Potato Bowl

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I love making large family dinner bowls, especially when leftovers taste as good or better the next day. Simple seasoning and ingredients such as rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and zucchini make this dish extra soft and rich in flavor. A yellow onion and a little tomato paste, although optional, adds a slight sweetness while a right amount of black pepper gives a special kick at the end of each bite.

    The vegetables are cooked and flavored first before we add the ground pork. I prefer to transfer the vegetables to a bowl and then cook the pork separate in the same skillet. When the pork is soft and tender, I add the veggies back in before adding the tomato paste and any additional seasoning. Preparing the meat separately, allows me to control better its seasoning and thus its flavors. But on days when I have little time, I just add the pork directly into the skillet with the vegetables—it will still taste delicious just a bit more challenging combining all the flavors in the first couple of minutes.

    I don't brown the ground pork with this recipe. The flavors come better together with the zucchini when the meat is juicy, tender and just done. The soft juices of the vegetable-meat dish are then soaked in by the Yukon potatoes—cooked al dente to contrast the softness of the meat.

    Easy Italian Spiced Zucchini-Pork and Potato Bowl

    When done, I let the potatoes sit covered in their heat for a couple of minutes. I then season them with some olive oil, salt, and parsley. It gives them a creamy consistency and a hearty taste. You can opt to serve the potatoes separately or to combine them with the vegetable-meat dish immediately.

    Any leftovers can be warmed up on the stove for a couple of minutes. The pure Italian flavors immediately return over a medium heat!

    Enjoy!

    Easy Italian Spiced Zucchini-Pork and Potato Bowl

    Easy Italian Spiced Zucchini, Pork, and Potato Bowl

    Mariska Ramondino
    This simple Italian pork recipe is truly a comfort dish and it pairs perfectly with parsley and olive oil seasoned cooked potatoes—a perfect family dinner recipe!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Courses
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 Servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 - 9 medium-sized Yukon potatoes peeled and quartered
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
    • 3 cloves garlic chopped
    • 1 large yellow onion chopped
    • 1 ½ pounds zucchini chopped (about 4 to 5 medium-sized zucchini)
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 pounds ground pork
    • Dried rosemary
    • 4 tablespoons tomato paste unseasoned, optional
    • 1 handful fresh parsley chopped

    Instructions

    • Place the potatoes in a pot and add enough water to cover them barely. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the potatoes until they are just tender (about 6-8 minutes). You don't want to overcook them. They should instead have an al dente quality (firm to the bite) and fully retain its shape. Drain and set aside, covered.
    • In the meantime, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook and stir the garlic for 10 seconds (to release its aroma). Toss in the onions. Cook and stir for one minute. Then add the zucchini—season everything with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook and frequently stir until the zucchini is soft (about 10 minutes).
    • Break the ground pork into small chunks and add to the skillet. Using a wooden spoon start breaking down the meat further into tiny pieces while stirring it in with the rest of the ingredients—season with salt and royally with pepper and dried rosemary. Cook and stir until thoroughly cooked but not browned (10 minutes).
    • Stir in the tomato paste add more seasonings to taste. Cook and stir for another minute, then remove from the stove. Transfer to a large serving plate or bowl.
    • Place the reserved potatoes separately in a large bowl. Cover with one to two tablespoons of olive oil. Season lightly with salt and combine with fresh parsley. Either serve separately with the zucchini-pork bowl or toss the seasoned potatoes into the meat mixture and serve as one large dish.

    Notes

    I don't brown the ground pork with this recipe. The flavors come better together with the zucchini when the meat is juicy, tender and just done. The soft juices of the vegetable-meat dish are then soaked in by the Yukon potatoes—cooked al dente to contrast the softness of the meat.

    Add your own private notes

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.

    Nutrition (% Daily value)

    Calories: 951kcal (48%)Carbohydrates: 92g (31%)Protein: 35g (70%)Fat: 50g (77%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 109mg (36%)Sodium: 1085mg (47%)Potassium: 2843mg (81%)Fiber: 13g (54%)Sugar: 9g (10%)Vitamin A: 569IU (11%)Vitamin C: 121mg (147%)Calcium: 101mg (10%)Iron: 6mg (33%)

    Disclaimer: This nutritional data is calculated using third party tools and is only intended as a reference.

    Keywords : ground pork recipes, Italian, meals, potatoes, recipe ideas, what to make, zucchini
    Tried this recipe? PIN it for laterMention @mychefsapron or tag #mychefsapron!
    « Chocolate Mascarpone Sandwich Cookies
    Buttery Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    “Cooking may be as much a means of self-expression as any of the arts.”

    –Fannie Farmer

    A beautiful lady turning her head smilingly.

    Hi, I'm Mariska—I love to explore food & all things nourishing in and outside the kitchen. Let's cook more at home, veggie-rich & eat intuitively!

    Read More →

    Precision Nutrition Coach Badge

    Healthy Smoothies & Drinks

    • Refreshing Carrot Orange Ginger Juice
    • Energy-boosting Beet Blueberry Smoothie
    • Super Creamy Turmeric Smoothie (Dairy-Free)
    • Cantaloupe-Ginger Smoothie
    • My Go-to Green Smoothie Kids will Love Too
    • Morning Wellness Tonics: Immune and Energy Boosting

    Trending Recipes


    • Tender Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
    • Marinated Chicken Wings
    • Fall-off-the-bone poached whole chicken (meal prep)
    • Healthy chicken drumsticks (easy sweet & savory one-pan dinner)
    • Easy and Healthy Garlic Shrimp with Leeks
    • Healthy Plantain Breakfast

    “Cooking can cure almost anything.”

    –Michelle Dockery

    Footer

    ^ back to top * About Me & Contact * Privacy Policy * Disclaimer * Terms & Conditions * Disclosure

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 MYCHEFSAPRON BY LIFEFUELER CONSULTING LLC—All rights reserved.