Description
Ground Beef Orzo is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender orzo pasta cooked with savory ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and combines wholesome ingredients for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oils
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
Pantry Items and Seasonings
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 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
Optional Garnishes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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 it while breaking it up with a spoon until well browned. Once browned, drain off any excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced red bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook together, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it as burnt garlic can taste bitter.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Mix in the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
- Incorporate Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo pasta and beef broth. Bring the mixture up to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer.
- Simmer Until Cooked: Allow the dish to simmer covered for 15 to 20 minutes, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Check at around 15 minutes to gauge doneness.
- Adjust Consistency and Seasoning: If the orzo is not fully cooked, continue simmering for a few more minutes. Add additional beef broth if the mixture appears too dry. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the ground beef orzo hot, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for optimal flavor and moisture.
- Draining excess grease helps reduce fat content while keeping the dish flavorful.
- Add red pepper flakes sparingly to customize the heat level.
- Cover the skillet tightly during simmering to prevent the orzo from drying out.
- Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley add a nice finishing touch but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
- If you don’t have beef broth, chicken broth or vegetable broth can be substituted.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
