Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printable)

Savory ground beef and orzo simmered with tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs in a flavorful beef 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 the bell pepper softens.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up 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 well to combine.
05 - Bring 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 of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Fold in frozen peas and cook for another 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 parsley.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is as easy as the cooking.
  • The orzo soaks up all the beefy, herby broth and tastes like it simmered for hours.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are wilting in your crisper and it still turns out delicious.
  • It reheats beautifully the next day, sometimes tasting even better after the flavors meld overnight.
02 -
  • Stir the orzo every few minutes once it's added, or it will clump together and stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef if there's a lot, otherwise the dish can taste greasy instead of savory.
  • If the orzo absorbs all the liquid before it's tender, add a splash more broth or water and keep cooking.
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a lid that fits well, it traps the steam and cooks the orzo evenly without drying out.
  • Taste the dish before serving and adjust the salt, sometimes it needs a little more depending on your broth.
  • Fresh parsley isn't just garnish, it brightens the whole dish and makes it taste fresher.
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