Description
A creamy and comforting Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce featuring lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato cream sauce infused with Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
Cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven and break it up slightly with a spoon. Cook over medium-high heat without stirring for 5-6 minutes to allow a nice sear.
- Cook Onions: Add chopped onion to the pot and stir to break the beef into smaller pieces. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes. If there is excess fat, spoon some out but keep enough for flavor.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, and the uncooked orzo pasta. Cook for about one minute to toast the orzo and release aromas.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 10 minutes until the orzo is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Finish Off: Remove the pot from heat, stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh baby spinach. Cover the pot and let sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and sauce to thicken to your liking. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat, but if using regular beef, drain or spoon off excess fat after browning.
- Stir often during the simmering step to prevent orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity for desired spiciness or omit if preferred mild.
- Letting the dish rest covered after cooking allows the spinach to soften and the sauce to become creamy and thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
