Comforting Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printable)

Savory beef and orzo simmered in tomato broth with bell peppers, peas, and Parmesan for a satisfying dinner.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 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, about 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 incorporated.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is as easy as dinner itself.
  • The orzo soaks up all the savory broth and becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
  • It feels like a hug in a bowl, especially on nights when you need comfort more than complexity.
02 -
  • Stir the orzo often once it's added, or it will clump and stick to the bottom of the skillet.
  • If the mixture looks too dry before the orzo is tender, add a splash more broth or water to keep it saucy.
  • Don't skip draining the beef if there's a lot of fat, it can make the dish greasy instead of savory.
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid so the orzo steams evenly and doesn't dry out.
  • Taste the orzo before you remove it from the heat, it should be tender but still have a slight bite.
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre-grated, it melts smoother and tastes fresher.
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