Sunday High Calorie Dinner: Lamb Shanks with Buttered Orzo Recipe

Braised until the meat slides off the bone, over buttered orzo that soaks up every drop of sauce. This Sunday high calorie dinner is pure slow-cooked luxury.

Cook 200 min Difficulty HARD 980 kcal
#high protein
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • lamb shanks 4 pieces
  • orzo 2 cups
  • yellow onion 1 large
  • carrot 2 large
  • celery stalk 2 pieces
  • garlic 6 cloves
  • tomato paste 3 tbsp
  • beef broth 3 cups
  • dry red wine 1.5 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • unsalted butter 6 tbsp
  • olive oil 2 tbsp
  • kosher salt 2 tsp
  • black pepper 1 tsp
  • bay leaf 2 pieces
  • fresh rosemary 2 sprigs
  • fresh thyme 4 sprigs
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 60 g 24%
Protein 43 g 18%
Fat 62 g 57%
Serving size 500g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 325°F. Generously season lamb shanks with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring all sides are coated.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear lamb shanks until deeply browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    Lower heat to medium, add the onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until softened, 8–10 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Pour in red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pot. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then add beef broth, bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme. Return lamb shanks to the pot, ensuring they are partially submerged.

  5. 5

    Cover and transfer to oven. Braise for 2.5–3 hours, turning shanks halfway, until meat is fork-tender and nearly falling off the bone.

  6. 6

    About 30 minutes before serving, melt half the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo and toast for 2–3 minutes before adding 4 cups of hot water. Simmer, stirring frequently, until just al dente and creamy. Stir in remaining butter and a pinch of salt.

  7. 7

    Remove bay leaves and herb stems from the braising liquid. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve each lamb shank over a bed of buttered orzo, spooning plenty of sauce over.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The hero ingredient here is the lamb shanks, which provide rich, savory depth and tender texture to the finished dish. Slowly braising the shanks gives both sauce and orzo their signature flavor, supported by classic aromatics and butter.
Q. Which seasoning makes the biggest difference in flavor?
Fresh rosemary and thyme infuse the braising liquid with aromatic complexity. Alongside bay leaf, they balance the lamb's richness and complement the wine-based sauce, giving the dish its distinctive Sunday dinner character.
Q. What's the recommended technique to keep the lamb meat tender without drying out?
Slow braising at a low oven temperature (325°F) with sufficient liquid is key. Turning the shanks occasionally ensures even cooking and prevents dryness. Covering the pot traps steam, so the meat stays juicy and nearly slides off the bone.
Q. How many calories and protein are in a serving?
Each serving of this recipe provides about 980 kcal, with 43 grams of protein. The high protein content makes it hearty, while the caloric load reflects its role as a luxurious Sunday dinner.
Q. What's the best tip for creamy, non-gummy buttered orzo?
Toast orzo briefly in butter before simmering and stir frequently while cooking. This ensures the grains cook evenly and absorb flavor, while adding the remaining butter at the end guarantees silkiness without clumping.
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