Ground Beef Orzo: A Delicious and Easy One-Pan Recipe
Ground Beef Orzo is a delicious and easy one-pan recipe combining flavorful ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish is packed with savory herbs and can be garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for an added burst of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
For Serving
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (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 vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced red 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 let it burn.
- Add tomato and seasonings: Mix 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 the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed. Check at 15 minutes for tenderness and continue cooking as necessary, adding more broth if needed to prevent drying.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs according to your preference.
- Serve: Serve the ground beef orzo hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for best flavor and juiciness.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Adding more beef broth during simmering can prevent the orzo from drying out.
- Substitute vegetable broth to make it lighter or for different flavor variations.
- Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley add a nice finishing touch but are optional.
Keywords: ground beef orzo, one-pan meal, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, beef and pasta skillet, comfort food
