Description
This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Sauce is the ultimate one-pot comfort meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It combines savory ground beef, tender pasta, and fresh spinach in a rich, creamy tomato sauce that comes together effortlessly. You will love how the orzo cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors for a velvety, satisfying dinner that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- 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
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with your spoon. Let it cook without stirring over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes to develop a nice sear.
Step 2: Add Onions
Add the chopped onion to the pot and stir to break the beef into small crumbles. Cook for another 5 minutes until the onions are soft. If there is excessive fat, drain some off, but leave a little for flavor.
Step 3: Toast Aromatics and Pasta
Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and the uncooked orzo. Cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices and pasta slightly.
Step 4: Simmer
Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the liquid to a gentle bubble (not a hard boil). Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered.
Step 5: Stir Often
During the 10-minute cook time, stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The sauce should reduce and thicken as the pasta cooks.
Step 6: Finish and Rest
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. This step allows the spinach to wilt and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Step 7: Serve
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick after resting, simply stir in a splash of extra beef broth or warm water to loosen it up before serving.
Vegetable Variations: To boost the veggie content, add diced bell peppers or sliced mushrooms when you sauté the onions. They pair perfectly with the creamy tomato base.
Reheating: Creamy pasta dishes tend to thicken significantly in the fridge. When reheating leftovers, add a tablespoon of water or broth to help restore the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: ground beef orzo, one pot pasta, creamy tomato beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, hamburger orzo skillet