Description
This Beef Orzo Recipe with Tomato Cream Sauce is a comforting and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, combined with orzo pasta and finished with a creamy touch of heavy cream and Parmesan. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers layers of flavor with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Produce
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh basil or parsley (a handful, chopped, optional)
- Sautéed mushrooms or spinach (optional)
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves, preparing all your ingredients before starting to cook.
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet. Add ground beef and let it brown undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then stir and continue cooking until fully browned, about 5 more minutes. Lightly season with salt and black pepper. Transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes until softened but not browned. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Beef and Simmer: Return the browned beef to the skillet and mix it into the tomato sauce. Let everything simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Orzo and Broth: Stir in the orzo pasta, then pour in the chicken broth. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer Orzo: Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately. Optionally, top with sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Vegetarian option: omit beef and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach can enhance flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: beef orzo, tomato cream sauce, ground beef recipe, one-pan meal, easy dinner, creamy tomato sauce, quick stovetop recipe
