Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef and Spinach
Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef and Spinach
Ingredients
For the Creamy Orzo
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, plus more for garnish
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1/2 onion, medium-sized, diced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup orzo pasta, dried
- 15 ounces tomato sauce, canned
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 2
Drain most of the fat from the pot, leaving a small amount behind. Add the diced onion to the browned beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper as it cooks.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Stir in the dried orzo pasta, ensuring it is well combined with the beef and onion mixture.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 12 min
- 7
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts, then stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of fresh olive oil.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Orzo with Ground Beef and Spinach
Ingredients
For the Creamy Orzo
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, plus more for garnish
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1/2 onion, medium-sized, diced
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup orzo pasta, dried
- 15 ounces tomato sauce, canned
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 2
Drain most of the fat from the pot, leaving a small amount behind. Add the diced onion to the browned beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper as it cooks.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Stir in the dried orzo pasta, ensuring it is well combined with the beef and onion mixture.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 12 min - 7
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts, then stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of fresh olive oil.
⏱️ 1 min