Description
A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining ground beef, orzo pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 cup orzo pasta (175g)
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth (480ml)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove beef and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir in dried Italian seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer. Let simmer for about 3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add dry orzo to the sauce mixture. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Add water or broth if sauce becomes too thick before orzo is tender.
- Once orzo is tender, stir browned ground beef back into the pan. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until sauce is rich and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh basil.
Notes
Do not drain the fat after browning the beef to keep sauce flavorful. Stir orzo gently every few minutes to prevent sticking. Let dish rest for 5 minutes off heat before serving to thicken sauce. Heavy cream is key for creamy texture; half-and-half can be used but will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: ground beef, orzo, creamy tomato sauce, quick dinner, one-pot meal, weeknight dinner, comfort food