Hearty Ground Beef Orzo
Let me just say, this Hearty Ground Beef Orzo is a weeknight winner! Picture tender orzo that’s soaked up the flavors from juicy ground beef, seasoned just right with a dash of Italian spices, and mixed into a creamy tomato sauce. It’s like comfort food meets pasta night in the best way possible. And with that Parmesan stirred in at the end? Absolute perfection. You’ll have a warm, filling meal on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for those busy days when you’re craving something cozy and homemade.
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small white onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 c orzo pasta
- 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 c chicken or beef broth
- 3/4 c heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, seasoning it with a bit of salt and pepper. Break it up just a little, then let it sit and brown for about 5 minutes without touching it—this helps build that great flavor!
- Next, toss in the chopped onion and keep cooking, breaking up the beef more as it goes, until the meat is fully cooked and the onion turns soft, about another 5 minutes.
- Now, add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir in the tomato paste, letting it cook for about a minute so it gets fragrant and the color deepens a bit.
- Pour in the orzo, tomato sauce, broth, and heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle boil and let it cook, stirring frequently so the orzo doesn’t stick. If it starts boiling too hard, just turn the heat down a touch. Cook until the orzo is perfectly tender, about 10 minutes.
- Take the pot off the heat, then stir in the Parmesan and parsley if you’re using it. Cover it up and let it rest for a few minutes so everything melds together. Give it one last stir, taste, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve it up warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Want to make this gluten-free? Swap out the orzo for a gluten-free pasta (there’s gluten-free orzo out there, too!), or try rice for a similar texture. Just cook it according to the package directions to ensure it turns out tender, adjusting any broth or liquid as needed. Double-check that your tomato sauce and broth are gluten-free as well, and you’re good to go! This little tweak keeps all the flavor without any gluten worries.