Comforting Ground Beef Orzo (Printable)

Savory ground beef, tender orzo, and vegetables simmered in a rich tomato broth for an easy, satisfying skillet meal.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
05 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
06 - 1 cup frozen peas
07 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

→ Aromatics

08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Oils

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Method:

01 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper; sauté for an additional 2–3 minutes until the bell pepper softens.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 10 minutes.
06 - Add orzo pasta, stirring to combine. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Fold in frozen peas and cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time washing dishes and more time actually eating together
  • The orzo soaks up all that tomato beef broth flavor while getting perfectly tender
  • It tastes even better the next day which means lunch is basically handled
02 -
  • The orzo keeps absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat so do not panic if it looks a little soupy at first
  • If the orzo is not tender but the liquid is gone, add another half cup of broth and keep cooking
  • A cover on your skillet makes a huge difference for the orzo cooking evenly
03 -
  • Finishing with a drizzle of really good olive oil right before serving adds a lovely richness
  • Fresh basil instead of dried makes it feel more like a special occasion
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes adds just enough warmth to make it interesting
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