Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
A comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring lean ground beef and tender orzo pasta in a rich tomato cream sauce, enhanced with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful, easy-to-make dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: Place the ground beef in a large 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 browning.
- Add Onion and Continue Cooking: Add the chopped onion to the pot, stir and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes. If excess fat accumulates, especially if not using lean beef, spoon some out; otherwise leave it.
- Incorporate Aromatics and Orzo: Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and 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 over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking, until the pasta is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken further. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and make the dish healthier.
- Stir regularly during simmering to avoid the orzo sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta cooks completely, add a splash more beef broth or water.
- For a spicier dish, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
Keywords: ground beef orzo, tomato cream sauce, one-pot meal, quick dinner, creamy pasta, easy weeknight dinner
