Description
A comforting and hearty Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe that combines tender orzo pasta with savory ground beef and a rich, creamy tomato sauce. This one-pot dish is flavored with garlic, Italian seasoning, and finished with fresh spinach and parmesan cheese for a deliciously balanced meal.
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 and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up a bit with a spoon. Let it cook without stirring over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until it starts to brown.
- Add Onions and Continue Cooking: Stir in the chopped onions and break the beef into smaller pieces. Cook for another 5 minutes until onions soften. If excess fat accumulates, spoon some out, otherwise leave it for flavor.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, and orzo pasta. Cook for about one minute to toast the orzo slightly and release flavors.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and bring to a gentle bubble over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Let it cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent orzo from sticking, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with Cheese and Spinach: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let it sit for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts and spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat; if using fattier beef, drain grease as needed.
- Stir frequently during the simmering step to prevent orzo from sticking and burning.
- If the sauce is too thick before pasta is cooked, add a splash of beef broth or water.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with kale or other leafy greens.
- For a spicier dish, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers can be reheated and may thicken further, so add a splash of broth when reheating.
