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One Pot Ground Beef Orzo with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Hearty ground beef and orzo pasta cooked together in a rich, creamy tomato sauce for the ultimate comfort food meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
  • 1.5 cups orzo pasta
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot or deep skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Add diced onion to the pot with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Push beef mixture to one side of the pot and add tomato paste to the empty space. Cook for 1 minute, then stir it into the beef mixture.
  4. Add orzo pasta, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, and paprika to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  5. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  6. Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For extra richness, add more Parmesan cheese before serving. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore creaminess.