When life gets busy, nothing beats a cozy one pot meal that comes together quickly and leaves you with minimal dishes to clean. This Ground Beef Orzo is exactly that — a creamy, hearty, and satisfying dinner ready in just 30 minutes. With tender ground beef, a luscious tomato cream sauce, and fresh spinach stirred in at the end, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort food.
Think of it like a shortcut risotto: creamy, rich, and full of flavor, but without all the stirring and waiting. Orzo cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that goodness while keeping things simple and fuss-free.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy – Ready in 30 minutes with just one pot.
- Family-friendly – A hearty meal that both kids and adults will devour.
- Creamy & comforting – Like risotto, but easier and with pasta instead of rice.
- Balanced – Protein from beef, veggies from spinach, and a cozy tomato-Parmesan cream sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef – Lean beef (90% or more) works best.
- Onion & garlic – The flavorful base.
- Red pepper flakes – Optional, for a gentle heat.
- Italian seasoning – Adds a herby, savory kick.
- Orzo pasta – Small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly.
- Tomato sauce – Forms the base of the creamy sauce (similar to passata).
- Beef broth – Deepens the flavor.
- Heavy cream – Makes the sauce rich and velvety.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory, umami depth.
- Parmesan cheese – Stirred in at the end for richness.
- Fresh spinach – For a pop of color and freshness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the beef: Add ground beef to a Dutch oven or soup pot. Let it brown undisturbed for 5–6 minutes, then break it up and stir in the onion. Cook until softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add aromatics & orzo: Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and the orzo. Toast for about a minute.
- Build the sauce: Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often so the orzo doesn’t stick.
- Finish & thicken: Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan and spinach, then cover for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
- If the sauce reduces too quickly, add a splash more broth or cream.
- If it’s too liquidy, let it rest off the heat for a few minutes — the orzo will absorb more liquid.
- Swap spinach for kale or arugula if that’s what you have on hand.
- Don’t skimp on freshly grated Parmesan — it makes all the difference!
What to Serve With It
This dish is rich on its own, but pairs beautifully with:
- A crisp side salad (try balsamic or honey mustard dressing).
- Garlic bread or crusty bread for dipping.
- Steamed or roasted veggies like asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower.
Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Add a splash of cream or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave in short bursts.
- Freeze: Not recommended — the pasta becomes too soft.
This One Pot Ground Beef Orzo is creamy, cheesy, and satisfying — everything you need for an easy weeknight dinner. Once you try it, it’ll definitely become a staple on your meal rotation!
Ground Beef Orzo with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or soup pot, brown ground beef over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes. Stir in onion and cook another 5 minutes, breaking beef into small pieces. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and orzo. Cook 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan and spinach, then cover for 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens and spinach wilts.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.