Description
This Ground Beef and Orzo recipe is a hearty, Mediterranean-inspired one-pot dish perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Combining savory ground beef with tender orzo pasta, diced tomatoes, and aromatic spices, it’s a flavorful and comforting skillet dinner topped with creamy Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef (85–90% lean)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- fresh parsley for garnish
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large skillet or deep sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 6–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan if necessary to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked orzo, beef broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure the orzo cooks evenly. The orzo should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed by the end of the cooking time.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Let the dish sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy your easy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For extra veggies, stir in chopped spinach or zucchini during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- You can add red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Ground beef can be swapped for ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
