Ground Beef Orzo Pasta: A Quick & Easy Meal Recipe
This Ground Beef Orzo Pasta recipe is a quick and easy one-pot meal that combines flavorful ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with tender orzo pasta. Infused with Italian herbs and a touch of red wine, this comforting dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in the dried oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook this mixture for 30 seconds to bloom the herbs’ flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Wine: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, along with the red wine if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to develop richer flavors. Longer simmering will enhance taste.
- Cook the Orzo: While the sauce simmers, bring beef broth to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the orzo pasta, stir, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook according to package instructions, approximately 8-10 minutes, until the orzo is cooked through but still firm. Drain any excess liquid.
- Combine Orzo with Sauce: Stir the cooked orzo pasta into the meat sauce. Let it simmer together for 5 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the hot Ground Beef Orzo Pasta garnished generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. For added heat, sprinkle extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Red wine is optional but adds depth to the sauce; it can be omitted if you prefer a non-alcoholic dish.
- Simmering the sauce longer than 30 minutes enhances flavor, so feel free to extend cooking time if possible.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice tolerance for desired heat level.
Keywords: ground beef orzo pasta, easy dinner recipe, Italian pasta dish, one pot meal, quick pasta dinner
