Description
This one-pot ground beef orzo is a creamy, comforting dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. Made with lean ground beef, a rich tomato cream sauce, and tender orzo, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes and is ideal for beginner cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes. Stir, breaking it into small pieces, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until browned. If there’s excess fat, drain it.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Toast the orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo and let it toast for about 30 seconds. This step enhances the pasta’s flavor and prevents it from becoming too soft.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate the cheese and spinach: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top, if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in a bit more heavy cream or a pat of butter before serving.
- If the orzo absorbs too much liquid, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up.
- For a gluten-free version, swap orzo with gluten-free pasta or short-grain rice, adjusting liquid and cooking time as needed.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg