Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef
Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef
Ingredients
For the Orzo Dish
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 onion, medium, diced
- 1 cup orzo, dried
- 15 fluid ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach, fresh
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, for cooking
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Serving
- Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
- olive oil, for serving, optional
Instructions
- 1
Place a Dutch oven or large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Once warmed, add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain most of the fat, leaving a small amount in the pot.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Lower the heat slightly. Add the red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until aromatic.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Add the dried orzo to the pot. Stir well and cook according to package directions, typically 8 to 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Taste the orzo and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and an optional drizzle of fresh olive oil.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef
Ingredients
For the Orzo Dish
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 onion, medium, diced
- 1 cup orzo, dried
- 15 fluid ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups spinach, fresh
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, for cooking
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Serving
- Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
- olive oil, for serving, optional
Instructions
- 1
Place a Dutch oven or large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Once warmed, add the ground beef and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain most of the fat, leaving a small amount in the pot.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Lower the heat slightly. Add the red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until aromatic.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Add the dried orzo to the pot. Stir well and cook according to package directions, typically 8 to 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, fresh spinach, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the spinach has wilted.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Taste the orzo and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and an optional drizzle of fresh olive oil.
⏱️ 1 min