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One-Pot Ground Beef Orzo in Tomato Sauce

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rich Ground Beef Orzo in Tomato Sauce, glistening under natural light.
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Make this simple, hearty ground beef orzo dish entirely in one skillet using a tomato-based sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and the tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  7. Stir in the uncooked orzo pasta. Return the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
  8. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir halfway through cooking.
  9. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Use crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes for a smoother sauce texture.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1 cup of the beef broth with dry red wine and let it cook down before adding the remaining broth.
  • Stir frequently during the last 5 minutes of cooking to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Nutrition

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