Description
Ground Beef Orzo is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal combining savory ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and a rich tomato sauce infused with herbs and spices. This easy-to-make skillet dish is perfect for a wholesome family dinner, offering comfort and convenience in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnishes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté onion and bell pepper: Add the chopped onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Add orzo and broth: Stir in the orzo pasta and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
- Check doneness and adjust: After 15 minutes, check the orzo for doneness. If it’s too firm, cook a few more minutes, adding more beef broth as needed to keep it moist. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Serve and garnish: Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for the best flavor and moisture.
- You can substitute chicken broth for beef broth if preferred.
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make this dish vegetarian, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based meat substitute and use vegetable broth.
