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Delicious Ground Beef Orzo Recipe for Everyone

One-Pan Ground Beef Orzo

A comforting and deeply satisfying one-pan meal perfect for hectic weeknights. This recipe features savory ground beef and tender orzo which soaks up a rich tomato and beef broth, all finished with fresh spinach. It's a hearty, wholesome dish that delivers incredible depth of flavor with minimal fuss and cleanup.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1.5 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned all over. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
  3. Build the Flavor: Stir in the dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes until it darkens slightly. This deepens the tomato flavor.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the beef broth. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Cook the Orzo: Stir in the uncooked orzo. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Wilt the Spinach: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach until it has completely wilted.
  7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor, ensure you get a good brown sear on the beef. Use a quality beef broth, as the orzo will absorb its flavor. If the sauce gets too thick while the orzo cooks, add another splash of broth. To avoid mushy orzo, cook it al dente, checking it around the 10-minute mark. You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. Feel free to add more vegetables like carrots, celery, peas, or corn.