Description
This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is a comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring tender orzo cooked in a rich and creamy tomato sauce with savory ground beef. Bursting with Italian-inspired flavors, this easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner and garnished with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–6 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Stir in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Add Spices: Mix in dried oregano and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to coat the beef mixture evenly with the spices.
- Combine Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir thoroughly, then add the uncooked orzo pasta along with salt and black pepper.
- Simmer Until Orzo is Tender: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich, creamy consistency.
- Finish with Cheese and Garnish: Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of red wine when cooking the onions to deepen the flavor.
- This dish reheats well; when reheating, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
