Description
Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is a hearty and comforting one-pot dinner that combines lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and a rich tomato cream sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Enhanced with fresh baby spinach, this flavorful dish comes together quickly in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Spices
- 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
Cheese and Greens
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and lightly break it up with your spoon. Let it cook undisturbed over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until it starts to brown.
- Add Onion and Continue Cooking: Stir in the chopped onion and break the beef into small pieces while cooking for another 5 minutes. Remove excess fat if necessary, otherwise leave it in the pot.
- Sauté Garlic, Spices, and Orzo: Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo. Cook for about one minute to toast the pasta and release the garlic aroma.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Once the mixture starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium or medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking and ensure it cooks evenly.
- Finish with Cheese and Spinach: Remove the pot from heat, stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat, but you can drain if needed during cooking.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes for desired heat level or omit for a milder flavor.
- Allow resting time after cooking to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld.
- Substitute baby spinach with kale or other hearty greens if preferred.
