Ground beef, onions, mushrooms, rice, and orzo come together in this cozy one-pot Goop Dinner Recipe—easy comfort food at its best.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
So, let me back up. The name Goop Dinner sounds like something your grandma made up when she couldn’t think of what to call it, right? And honestly, that’s kinda the charm. The first time I heard it, I laughed out loud—like, who wants to eat goop? But here’s the thing: when I actually made it, it was pure comfort in a pot. The kind of dish that makes you forget about the laundry pile staring at you or the emails you ignored all day.
I cooked this the first winter I moved into my old apartment—the one with the radiator that hissed louder than the kettle. It was freezing, and I didn’t feel like running to the store. I threw what I had into a pot, and it turned into something way better than expected. Goop. Ugly name, cozy vibes. Sound familiar?
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Goop Dinner Recipe?
Here’s the thing about this Goop Dinner Recipe: it doesn’t try too hard. You don’t need a Dutch oven that costs half your rent, or 20 ingredients you can’t pronounce. Just beef, veggies, rice, and orzo simmered together until they turn into this almost stew-y, almost casserole-y dish that somehow tastes better than it looks. It’s humble, it’s cheap, and it feeds people. Isn’t that the point?
Ingredient Notes:
When you look at the list, it’s like someone emptied the fridge into a pot. But it works.
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Ground beef – Use what you’ve got. Lean, fatty—it’s forgiving.
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Onion – No meal ever got worse with onion. Period.
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Mushrooms – They shrink down, add depth. Kinda meaty without being meat.
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Green bell pepper – Bright, a little sweet. Balances things out.
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Celery – I used to skip celery, thinking “who’ll notice?” but it really matters here.
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Rice + orzo – Double carbs? Absolutely. They make the goop hearty.
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Bouillon cube – Salty little flavor bomb. Chicken or beef, your choice.
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Onion powder – Because one onion is apparently not enough.
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Water – Nothing fancy, just what ties it all together.
How To Make Goop Dinner?
This isn’t a “follow to the letter or you’ll ruin it” kinda recipe. Honestly, it’s forgiving.
Step 1 – Brown the beef.
Toss it in a pot, season it, and let it sizzle until it’s just barely browned. Don’t overthink it.
Step 2 – Add onion + mushrooms.
Cook them until your kitchen smells like the start of every good homey meal ever.
Step 3 – Dump in everything else.
Seriously, just dump it. Rice, orzo, celery, pepper, bouillon, onion powder, water. Stir it like you mean it. Bring to a boil, then let it bubble for a couple minutes.
Step 4 – Cover + simmer.
Turn the heat down, put the lid on, and let it chill for 35–45 minutes. If it looks dry? Splash in more water. Cooking’s not rigid—it’s vibes.
Step 5 – Taste + serve.
Check the seasoning. Add salt, pepper, or even hot sauce if you’re into that. Serve it hot, maybe with bread if you’ve got it. And yeah, sometimes I eat it straight from the pot. Don’t judge.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
This Goop Dinner keeps surprisingly well. Pop leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days. When you reheat, add a splash of water so it doesn’t turn into cement. Freezer-friendly? Kinda. It freezes fine but the rice can go mushy. Then again, it’s goop. Who’s gonna notice?
Variations and Substitutions:
This isn’t the Mona Lisa of recipes—it’s flexible:
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Swap beef for turkey, chicken, or sausage.
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Throw in extra veggies—zucchini, spinach, even frozen peas.
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Switch white rice for brown (but cook it longer).
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Add chili flakes if you like heat.
Basically, it’s whatever-you’ve-got dinner.
What to Serve with Goop Dinner?
It’s hearty enough on its own, but a little company never hurts:
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Crusty bread—because carbs deserve carbs.
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A quick salad—if you want to pretend to be balanced.
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Pickles (don’t knock it till you try it).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead?
Totally. Just reheat with a splash of water.
Do I need orzo?
Nope. Skip it or sub with any small pasta. Rice carries the dish anyway.
My rice is still crunchy—help!
Add more water, keep simmering. Rice plays by its own rules sometimes.
And there you have it. The Goop Dinner Recipe: homely name, hearty soul. Not fancy, not polished, but sometimes the best meals are the ones that don’t pretend to be. Would you serve this proudly, or keep it a “family secret” kind of dish?
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Goop Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1/2 cup orzo or short vermicelli
- 1 chicken or beef bouillon cube
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 3/4 cups water
Instructions
Cook the beef.
- In a large stockpot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until just beginning to brown. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
Add onion and mushrooms.
- Stir in the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms. Cook until the onions become translucent and the mushrooms have softened.
Incorporate remaining ingredients.
- Add the green bell pepper, diced celery, uncooked rice, orzo, bouillon cube, onion powder, and water. Stir well to combine.
Bring to a boil.
- Increase the heat and allow the mixture to come to a full boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
Simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35–45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the dish is moist. If the mixture becomes too dry during cooking, add 1/4 cup of water at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
Adjust seasoning and serve.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
