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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
