Description
This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining tender ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and a rich tomato cream sauce. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh spinach, and parmesan cheese, it delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with your spoon. Allow it to cook without stirring over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes to develop browning and deep flavor.
- Sauté Onion: Add the chopped onion to the pot, stir, and further break apart the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes until the onion softens. If there’s excess fat from non-lean beef, carefully spoon some out; otherwise, leave it in.
- Add Aromatics and Orzo: Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for about one minute, stirring to combine and let the spices bloom.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy/whipping cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well. Once the mixture begins to bubble, continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer so the pasta cooks thoroughly without boiling off all the liquid.
- Finish with Cheese & Spinach: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover with a lid and let sit for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the spinach to wilt.
- Season and Serve: Stir again, taste, and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot for optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef minimizes excess fat but if using fattier beef, skim off extra grease before proceeding.
- Crushed red pepper flakes add a hint of heat but are optional based on your spice preference.
- Letting the dish sit off heat with the lid on allows the flavors to meld and spinach to gently wilt without overcooking.
- Ensure constant stirring during simmering to prevent orzo from sticking and burning at the pot’s bottom.
- For a lower calorie version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk but the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
