Delicious Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pan meal featuring ground beef and orzo pasta cooked in a rich tomato cream sauce, enhanced with spinach and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1.5 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 2.5 cups beef broth
Seasonings and Dairy
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat a deep skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Toast Orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta with the beef mixture. Cook and toast the orzo for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing it to absorb some flavor.
- Add Tomato Components and Broth: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then pour in the marinara sauce and beef broth. Season the mixture with dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Simmer Orzo: Bring the skillet to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish with Cream and Spinach: Stir in the heavy cream, baby spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the spinach to wilt and the sauce to become creamy, stirring gently to combine everything.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef to keep the dish from becoming too greasy.
- Use fresh baby spinach for best texture; it wilts quickly in the warm sauce.
- Can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes along with paprika.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread to complete the meal.
Keywords: ground beef recipe, orzo pasta, tomato cream sauce, one pan meal, easy dinner, skillet recipe
