Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
A hearty and creamy ground beef and orzo pasta dish simmered in a rich tomato cream sauce, flavored with Italian seasonings, garlic, and spinach. Perfect as a comforting one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with a spoon. Cook over medium-high heat without stirring for 5-6 minutes to allow the beef to brown.
- Add onion and continue cooking: Stir in the chopped onion and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes, then spoon out excess fat if necessary.
- Add aromatics and orzo: Stir in minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for about 1 minute to toast the orzo slightly.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with cheese and spinach: Remove 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 spinach wilts and the sauce thickens to your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat, but if you use a fattier beef, drain some of the fat after browning.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil to ensure the pasta cooks evenly and sauce consistency is maintained.
- The dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture.
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes as desired.
Keywords: ground beef orzo, tomato cream sauce, quick one-pot pasta, creamy beef pasta, Italian comfort food
