Description
This one-pot ground beef orzo recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and is a creamy, comforting, and delicious meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with a spoon. Let it cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes.
2. Add the onion to the pot and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes. If there is a lot of excess fat, spoon some out; otherwise, leave it in the pot.
3. Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Cook for about 1 minute.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Once it starts to bubble, continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often so the orzo doesn’t stick. Adjust the heat to keep a gentle bubble without reducing liquid too quickly.
5. Remove from heat, stir in the parmesan and spinach, and cover the pot for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Serves 4-6 depending on portion size or sides served with it.
Tomato sauce in North America is similar to passata in the U.K./Australia.
If the pasta seems too dry, add a splash of cream or broth. If too liquidy, let it sit a few minutes and it will thicken as the pasta absorbs the liquid.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef, orzo, pasta, one pot, creamy tomato sauce