Ground Beef Orzo
A comforting and quick dish combining lean ground beef and orzo pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Can be substituted with feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they’re softened.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart as it cooks, allowing it to brown for about 5-7 minutes. If there’s excess grease, drain it off.
- Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the aroma fills your kitchen.
Cooking
- Pour in the broth and add the rinsed orzo. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway, until the orzo is tender.
- Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the dish becomes creamy.
Notes
Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese. Pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.