Description
This Ground Beef and Orzo recipe is a delicious, comforting one-pan dish that combines savory ground beef, tender orzo pasta, aromatic vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Finished with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan, this family-friendly meal comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound (454 g) ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Pasta & Sauce
- 1 cup (150 g) uncooked orzo
- 15 ounces (425 g) tomato sauce
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef broth
Seasonings & Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup (33 g) freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and no pink remains.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and the mixture is fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add Orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo, mixing it well into the beef and onion mixture to coat the pasta lightly in the flavors.
- Add Liquids & Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the orzo but the mixture is still slightly saucy. This ensures the orzo is cooked and the flavors meld.
- Add Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and creamy. Add more parmesan if desired.
- Serve: Serve the dish warm, garnished with extra parmesan cheese and, if desired, fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat in the dish.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Feel free to stir in fresh spinach or kale near the end of cooking for added vegetables.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- This recipe is great for leftovers and reheats well the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
