Description
Savory and comforting Ground Beef Orzo, simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic vegetables and herbs, topped with Parmesan and parsley. A quick and easy one-pot meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups beef broth
- 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
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain off excess grease.
- Add chopped onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened (about 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes (undrained) and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Add orzo pasta, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If orzo is too firm, add more beef broth (1/4 cup at a time) and continue to simmer until cooked to your liking.
- Once cooked, remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Spoon into bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use bone broth instead of regular beef broth.
- If you don’t have orzo pasta, you can substitute it with other small pasta shapes, such as ditalini or acini di pepe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- To add more vegetables, you can include chopped carrots, celery, or zucchini along with the onion and bell pepper.
- For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If you want to make this dish vegetarian, you can substitute the ground beef with plant-based ground meat or lentils.
- To make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare it up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. You may need to add a little extra broth when reheating to loosen it up.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Consider adding a dollop of ricotta cheese on top for extra creaminess.
- A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors.
- For a more Italian flavor profile, add a bay leaf during the simmering process and remove it before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes