Ground Beef Orzo Pasta: A Quick & Easy Recipe

Introduction

This Ground Beef Orzo Pasta is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Combining rich tomato sauce with tender orzo and flavorful ground beef, it comes together quickly without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (8-10 minutes). Drain excess grease.
2. Step 2: Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Step 3: Add oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 30 seconds to release their flavors.
4. Step 4: Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add red wine if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Step 5: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, longer if you want a richer flavor.
6. Step 6: While the sauce simmers, bring beef broth to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add orzo, stir, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the orzo is tender but firm. Drain any excess liquid.
7. Step 7: Stir the cooked orzo into the meat sauce and simmer together for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
8. Step 8: Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Add extra red pepper flakes if you like a bit more heat.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or chopped mushrooms.
• Using red wine adds depth but can be omitted—replace with beef broth if preferred.
• To add veggies, stir in chopped bell peppers or spinach when adding the onions.
• Leftover sauce and orzo can be mixed before reheating to keep flavors well blended.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of orzo?

Yes, small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or small shells work well, but cooking times may vary, so adjust accordingly.

Is it necessary to drain the ground beef grease?

Draining the excess grease helps reduce fat and prevents the sauce from becoming oily, resulting in a cleaner flavor.

Ground Beef Orzo Pasta: A Quick & Easy Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Ground Beef Orzo Pasta is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender orzo pasta simmered in a rich, flavorful ground beef and tomato sauce. This quick and easy recipe combines aromatic herbs and optional red wine to create a satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Sauce and Seasoning

• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Other Liquids and Pasta

• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup orzo pasta

Finishing Touches

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

---

Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease to keep the sauce from becoming too oily.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
3. Add Herbs and Spices: Mix in the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 30 seconds to let the herbs bloom and add depth to the sauce.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the optional red wine. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for at least 30 minutes. Longer simmering will deepen the flavors.
6. Cook the Orzo: While the sauce simmers, bring the beef broth to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the orzo pasta, stir, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook according to package directions, typically 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm. Drain any excess liquid.
7. Combine Orzo and Sauce: Stir the cooked orzo into the meat sauce. Let the combined dish simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
8. Serve and Garnish: Serve the hot Ground Beef Orzo Pasta garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Optionally, sprinkle extra red pepper flakes for added heat.

Notes

• To make the dish vegetarian, substitute ground beef with textured vegetable protein or lentils and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Red wine is optional but adds a rich depth of flavor; you can omit it or substitute with additional beef broth.
• For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
• This recipe can be prepared in one pot but requires separate cooking of orzo for best texture.
• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: ground beef orzo, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta dishes, one-pot meals, quick dinner ideas