Description
This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in a rich tomato cream sauce with lean ground beef, garlic, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines savory flavors with creamy texture, finished with Parmesan cheese for a deliciously satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pasta and Sauces
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with a spoon. Let it cook over medium-high heat without stirring for 5-6 minutes to develop browning.
- Add Onion and Continue Cooking: Stir in the chopped onion and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes until the onion softens. If there’s excess fat, especially if not using lean beef, spoon some out; otherwise, keep it in the pot.
- Add Aromatics and Orzo: Stir in garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, and uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for about 1 minute to toast the orzo slightly and release flavors.
- Simmer with Sauce and Broth: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle bubble over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking. Do not let it boil vigorously to avoid rapid liquid reduction before the pasta cooks through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach until the spinach wilts. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat, but if using regular ground beef, drain or spoon out excess fat after cooking.
- Crushed red pepper flakes are optional; omit or adjust for milder flavor.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the pot bottom.
- Covering the dish after adding spinach helps melt the cheese and soften the greens.
- This recipe can be adapted with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
