Comforting Ground Beef Orzo (Print Version)

Hearty skillet dinner featuring seasoned ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and colorful vegetables in a rich tomato broth.

# What You’ll 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 It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and diced bell pepper; sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until bell pepper begins to soften.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
05 - Bring mixture 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 to 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 an additional 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The orzo soaks up all those beefy flavors while cooking, creating little pasta pearls that burst with taste without any fancy techniques.
  • Everything cooks in a single skillet, so you can actually enjoy dinner instead of dreading the mountain of dishes waiting afterward.
02 -
  • If your orzo starts sticking to the bottom, lower the heat immediately and add an extra splash of broth instead of stirring aggressively which can make the pasta gummy.
  • The dish might look soupy at first, but give it a 5-minute rest after cooking and the orzo will continue absorbing liquid to create the perfect consistency.
03 -
  • Toast the dry orzo in the pan for about 2 minutes before adding liquids to create a nutty flavor dimension that elevates the entire dish.
  • Keep the lid slightly ajar during the final 5 minutes of cooking to allow excess moisture to evaporate, creating the perfect consistency without overcooking the pasta.
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