Comforting Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printable Version)

A hearty skillet combining seasoned ground beef with orzo pasta, diced tomatoes, and bell peppers in savory beef broth, topped with Parmesan.

# What You Need:

→ 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 Make:

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 the bell pepper softens.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up 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 incorporated.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to actually sit down and eat.
  • The orzo soaks up all the savory tomato broth, giving you tender pasta that tastes like it simmered for hours.
  • It reheats beautifully, so leftovers never feel like a compromise.
02 -
  • Stir the orzo every few minutes once it's in the pan, or it will clump together and stick to the bottom.
  • If the liquid absorbs too quickly and the orzo isn't tender yet, add a splash of broth or water and cover again for a few more minutes.
  • Don't add the Parmesan while the skillet is still on the heat, or it can seize up and turn grainy instead of melting smoothly.
03 -
  • Toast the orzo in the skillet for a minute before adding the liquid, it deepens the flavor and gives the pasta a nutty edge.
  • If you want extra creaminess, stir in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or a handful of shredded mozzarella along with the Parmesan.
  • Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can replace the dried oregano and basil for a more vibrant, garden fresh taste.
Return