Description
A hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that combines savory ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and rich tomato sauce for a quick and satisfying dinner option perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce, or crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
- Crushed red pepper flakes for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook thoroughly, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
- Season the Mixture: Add the Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the beef mixture and stir well to evenly coat all ingredients. Cook for an additional minute to allow the herbs to become fragrant and release their flavors into the mixture.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and stir well to ensure it’s evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Simmer Until Done: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The dish is ready when the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle the beef and orzo mixture into bowls and top generously with grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add diced bell peppers or grated carrots along with the onions.
- This dish can be easily customized with additional vegetables like spinach or zucchini added in the final few minutes of cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat well.
- If the mixture becomes too thick during cooking, add a splash more broth or water.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef stock instead of store-bought broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg