Ground Beef Orzo – This Ground Beef Orzo Recipe. Is the perfect weeknight meal. Blending the hearty flavors of lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach. In a rich. And creamy tomato sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a quick, comforting dish. That your whole family will love.
The first time I made this Ground Beef Orzo. It was a spontaneous decision. On a busy evening. My husband walked in from work. And the aroma of garlic. And Italian seasoning. Filled the house. Our child peeked into the kitchen. Drawn by the delicious smell. And we all ended up around the table. Enjoying this dish together. It’s become one of our go-to meals. For those nights. When we crave something warm, comforting, and satisfying. Without spending hours. In the kitchen.
What makes this Ground Beef Orzo truly stands out?
This Ground Beef Orzo recipe stands out. For its simplicity. And richness. The combination of lean ground beef, tender orzo, and a creamy tomato sauce. Makes it a hearty meal. That’s both filling and flavorful. The fresh spinach. Adds a burst of color. And nutrition. While the parmesan cheese ties everything together. With a savory finish. Plus, it’s all made in one pot. Which means minimal cleanup. A true weeknight winner!
What You Need To Make This Ground Beef Orzo Recipe?
Lean Ground Beef: Using lean beef. Gives you all the hearty flavor. Without the excess grease. Making the dish lighter. But still satisfying.
Onion: Adds a sweet, aromatic base. That complements the beef perfectly.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic. Infuses the dish. With a robust, savory flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional but recommended. For a little kick of heat. That balances the richness of the sauce.
Italian Seasoning: This blend of herbs. Adds a touch of classic Italian flavor. Tying everything together beautifully.
Orzo Pasta: A fun, rice-shaped pasta. That cooks quickly. And absorbs all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Tomato Sauce: The foundation of the sauce. Giving it that rich, comforting taste. We all love in pasta dishes.
Beef Broth: Adds depth. And richness to the sauce. Enhancing the overall flavor.
Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy. Giving the dish. A comforting, indulgent texture.
Worcestershire Sauce: A secret umami booster. That deepens the savory flavor profile.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan. Adds a nutty, salty finish. That melts beautifully. Into the sauce.
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Fresh Baby Spinach: Packs in some nutrients. And adds a pop of color. Making this dish as healthy. As it is delicious.
Steps To Make Ground Beef Orzo:
Step 1: Start by heating up your soup pot. Or Dutch oven. Over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef. And let it sit. For about 5-6 minutes. Without stirring. This helps it develop. That nice, flavorful browning. Next, toss in the chopped onion. And give everything a good stir. Breaking up the beef into smaller pieces. As it continues to cook. For another 5 minutes. If there’s more fat than you’d like. Feel free to drain a bit. But remember. Some fat adds flavor!
Step 2: Once the beef is browned. And the onions are soft. Add the minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. And Italian seasoning. Let those mingle for about a minute. Until the kitchen smells incredible. Now, stir in the uncooked orzo. Coating it in all those flavors. Before adding the tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. And let it bubble away. For about 10 minutes, stirring often. To make sure the orzo. Doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Step 3: When the orzo is tender. Remove the pot from the heat. And stir in the parmesan cheese. And fresh spinach. Cover the pot. And let it sit for a few minutes. Allowing the spinach to wilt. And the sauce to thicken up just right. Season with salt and pepper to taste. And serve this cozy, comforting dish hot!
Tip:
For a truly restaurant-quality dish. Be sure to let your ground beef sit undisturbed in the pot. When you first add it. This allows it to develop a deep, rich browning. That adds tons of flavor to the dish. Also, when you stir in the orzo. Make sure to give it plenty of attention. Stirring it often. Will prevent it from sticking. To the bottom of the pot. And ensure each piece is perfectly coated. In that creamy, savory sauce. And don’t rush the final step of letting the pasta. Rest off the heat. This is when the sauce thickens. To that perfect consistency. And the flavors really come together.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey is a leaner alternative. That works well in this recipe. It will slightly alter the flavor. But it will still be delicious.
What if I don’t have orzo?
You can substitute orzo. With other small pasta shapes like ditalini or even rice. Though the cooking time may vary slightly.
Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare this dish in advance. And reheat it. When ready to serve. You might need to add a splash of broth. Or cream when reheating. To loosen the sauce.
<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!
Ground Beef Orzo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb of lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium-sized onion chopped
- 3-4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning
- 1 c of uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 14-oz. can of tomato sauce
- 3/4 c of beef broth
- 1 c of heavy or whipping cream
- 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 c of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 c of packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the ground beef. Into a soup pot. Or Dutch oven. And break it up slightly. With a spoon. Allow it to cook on medium-high heat. Without stirring for 5-6 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot. And break the beef. Into smaller pieces as you stir. Let it cook. For an additional 5 minutes. If there’s excess fat in the pot (especially if you’re not using lean beef). You can spoon some of it out. But it’s fine to leave it. If there's only a little.
- Mix in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Cook for about a minute. Stirring to combine.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture. To a gentle bubble. And continue cooking uncovered. For about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. To prevent the orzo. From sticking to the bottom of the pot. You may need to reduce the heat. To medium or medium-low. To maintain a gentle simmer. Ensuring the liquid. Doesn’t reduce too much. Before the pasta is fully cooked.
- Once the orzo is tender. Remove the pot. From the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. And fresh spinach. Then cover the pot for 3-5 minutes. Allowing the dish to thicken. And the spinach to wilt. Season with salt and pepper to taste. And serve immediately.
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!
