Description
Ground Beef Orzo: Creamy tomato sauce with savory ground beef comes together in under 35 minutes for a cozy, one-pan pasta dinner that tastes indulgent but is simple to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add orzo, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
- Tip: For leaner results, choose 90% lean ground beef or drain more fat after browning.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version, if desired.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh finish.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Ground Beef Orzo, Ground Beef Pasta, Creamy Tomato Orzo, One-Pan Pasta Dinner, Italian Beef Orzo, Weeknight Dinner