Hearty Ground Beef Orzo Skillet Recipe
This Ground Beef Orzo recipe is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining savory browned ground beef with tender orzo pasta simmered in flavorful broth. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers a satisfying blend of textures and rich umami flavors in a simple preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Orzo Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves to have them ready for cooking.
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove excess fat if desired.
- Sauté aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook until onion is softened and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add orzo and broth: Stir in the orzo pasta evenly with the beef mixture. Pour in the beef broth, ensuring the orzo is submerged. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer until tender: Reduce heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the orzo simmer gently for about 10-12 minutes, or until tender and the broth is mostly absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Final seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Fluff the orzo with a fork and serve hot as a satisfying main dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or thyme during the simmering step.
- Use low-sodium broth to control the salt content if preferred.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative.
- If you want a creamier texture, stir in a splash of cream or grated Parmesan after cooking.
Keywords: ground beef orzo, one-pot meal, quick dinner, beef pasta, easy weeknight recipe
