Creamy Ground Beef Orzo
This creamy ground beef orzo is a quick one-pot dinner ready in about 30 minutes. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- Large pot For cooking everything in one pot
- Wooden spoon For stirring
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 14 oz tomato sauce
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a pot over medium high heat without stirring at first. Then break it apart and brown fully.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and orzo. Cook briefly until fragrant.
- Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook uncovered while stirring often until the orzo is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat. Stir in parmesan and spinach, then cover and let sit for a few minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add extra broth or cream when reheating as the orzo absorbs sauce. Freezing is not recommended due to texture changes.