Description
A comforting, one-pot weeknight dinner featuring browned ground beef, orzo pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) 80/20 ground beef
- 1 cup (160g) dry orzo pasta
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium chicken or beef broth
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (110g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until fully browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Remove beef and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and a splash of olive oil if needed. Cook until translucent and soft (3 minutes). Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add dry orzo to the skillet. Stir to coat in oil and beef drippings. Toast for 2 minutes to add nutty flavor.
- Pour in broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover and check orzo for al dente texture. If liquid is absorbed but pasta is hard, add a splash of broth or water and continue cooking.
- Stir the browned beef back into the skillet. Remove pan from heat. Add Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Stir vigorously until melted and sauce is smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. Let sit for 2 minutes to thicken before serving.
Notes
Do not boil after adding cheese to prevent separation. Stir frequently during simmering to prevent sticking. For a lighter option, use 90/10 beef and half-and-half. Can be frozen without cheese and reheated with fresh cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: ground beef, orzo, one pot dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, cheesy beef