Description
This Ground Beef Orzo is a hearty one-pot skillet meal featuring seasoned lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, diced tomatoes, garlic, and creamy Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy, comforting, and family-friendly recipe that delivers rich flavors with minimal cleanup, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil and brown beef. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and diced onions, cooking until the beef is fully browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the dish light.
- Sauté garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add orzo and liquids. Mix in the uncooked orzo, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese. Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of freshness and color before serving warm.
Notes
- Add fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of beef broth to loosen the texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
