Go Back

Quick Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce

This dish combines the rich flavors of ground beef, creamy tomato sauce, and orzo pasta for a comforting weeknight meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version.
  • 1 onion, chopped Fresh ingredients recommended for robust flavor.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • for serving Grated Parmesan cheese
  • for garnish Fresh basil Optional

Method
 

Cooking the Ground Beef
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and break it into smaller pieces. Brown the beef evenly, stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Sautéing the Vegetables
  1. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Pour in the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for a couple of minutes.
Cooking the Orzo
  1. Add orzo pasta and 2 cups of water to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Finishing the Dish
  1. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

This meal can be paired with a garden salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.