Description
This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is pure cozy comfort: savory browned beef, tender orzo, and a silky tomato cream sauce finished with Parmesan. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
– 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
– 1 cup tomato sauce (or passata)
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup orzo pasta
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened, then stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Drain excess grease if needed.
3. Stir in Italian seasoning, oregano (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, cook orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
5. Lower heat and stir heavy cream into the sauce. Simmer gently 2–3 minutes (don’t boil hard).
6. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
7. Fold in the cooked orzo until coated in the creamy tomato sauce. If it thickens too much, add a splash of warm water or broth.
8. Serve hot with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
– Want it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
– For a lighter version, use lean ground beef or ground turkey and swap heavy cream for half-and-half (the sauce will be a bit thinner).
– Leftovers keep well for 3–4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk/broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: 🍲 Comfort Classics & Casseroles
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg