Enjoy the comforting flavors of taco night in a simple, one-pot meal. This creamy beef orzo delivers a rich, satisfying texture everyone will love.
Author:Richard Langley
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Main Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Tex-Mex Inspired
Diet:None
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
4 cups beef broth
1 cup orzo pasta
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Brown the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, oregano, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the orzo pasta and stir well. Continue to simmer, stirring often to prevent sticking, until the orzo is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes.
Stir in the rinsed black beans and heavy cream. Heat through gently, do not boil after adding cream.
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted and the mixture is creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
Richard suggests using a good quality beef broth for the best depth of flavor.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of broth slightly.
This dish reheats well, though you may need to add a splash of broth when reheating to restore creaminess.