Comforting Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printer-friendly)

Savory ground beef with orzo, bell peppers, and tomatoes simmered in broth, finished with Parmesan and herbs.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
05 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
06 - 1 cup frozen peas
07 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ Aromatics

08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Oils

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced bell pepper; sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until bell pepper softens.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.
06 - Add orzo pasta, stirring to combine. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Fold in frozen peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
09 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is as easy as dinner itself.
  • The orzo soaks up all the savory tomato broth, making every bite rich and satisfying.
  • It feels like a hug in a bowl without any fancy techniques or hard to find ingredients.
02 -
  • Stir the orzo every few minutes once it goes in, or it will clump together and stick to the bottom of the pan, trust me on this one.
  • If the liquid absorbs too quickly and the orzo is still firm, add a splash more broth or water and keep cooking until tender.
  • Do not skip draining the beef if it is very fatty, excess grease will make the whole dish feel heavy and slick instead of comforting.
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a tight fitting lid so the orzo steams evenly and does not dry out while cooking.
  • Taste the orzo before you take it off the heat, it should be tender but still have a little bite, not mushy.
  • If you want a thicker, saucier consistency, let it sit covered off the heat for a few minutes before serving, the orzo will continue to absorb liquid and thicken up beautifully.
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