Comforting Ground Beef Orzo With Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

My kitchen adventures recently uncovered this incredible ground beef orzo with a rich, velvety tomato cream sauce that instantly became a comfort food favorite.

Passionate home cooks understand how simple ingredients can create magical meals.

Mediterranean flavors dance through each delightful bite, promising satisfaction in every spoonful.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with hearty meat and tender pasta.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that don’t compromise on taste.

Minimal preparation meets maximum flavor in this straightforward recipe.

The blend of classic ingredients will spark excitement at your dinner table and have everyone asking for seconds.

Ground Beef Orzo With Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe Worth Keeping

• Whip Up a Hearty One-Pot Wonder: This ground beef orzo recipe offers a delightful combination of convenience and flavor that busy home cooks will adore.
• Speedy Weeknight Meal: Prepare a delicious dinner in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for hectic family evenings when time is tight and hunger is high.
• Family-Friendly Comfort Food: Create a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies both kids and adults with its creamy texture and familiar ingredients that everyone loves.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Enjoy a complete meal cooked in a single skillet, reducing dish-washing time and making post-dinner cleanup a breeze for tired cooks.

Items Found In Ground Beef Orzo Cream Sauce

• Ground Beef: Rich meat that adds hearty flavor and protein to the dish, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
• Orzo: Small pasta shape that creates a creamy, satisfying texture, works well with sauce.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides base for the tomato cream sauce, canned variety offers consistent flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and smoothness to the sauce, creates silky texture.
• Dried Oregano: Classic herb that brings Mediterranean flavor and depth to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding gentle heat and spice.

• Onion, Garlic: Essential flavor builders that create a robust foundation for the dish, fresh ingredients recommended.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding subtle flavor, extra virgin provides best taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds final layer of flavor, freshly grated recommended.
• Fresh Basil: Bright herb that provides fresh finishing touch and color.

Ground Beef Orzo With Tomato Cream Sauce Steps

Step 1: Sizzle Onions in Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 2: Awaken Garlic’s Flavor

Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about a minute until the kitchen fills with its fragrant scent.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and oregano.

Continue cooking until the meat turns a rich, golden brown and is completely cooked through.

Step 4: Create Tomato Base

Pour in crushed tomatoes and add red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.

Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Cook Orzo

• Orzo
• Water or broth

Add orzo and liquid to the skillet.

Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer.

Cook until the orzo becomes tender and absorbs most of the liquid, typically taking 12-15 minutes.

Step 6: Enrich with Cream

Stir in heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Watch as the sauce transforms into a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Top the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting blend of flavors.

Key Moves For Creamy Ground Beef Orzo Success

• Keep the heat low when cooking orzo to prevent burning and ensure even, creamy texture.
• Toast oregano and red pepper flakes in the pan with onions to release their essential oils and enhance overall taste.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.
• Use half-and-half or milk to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy consistency.
• Add broth incrementally when cooking orzo to control sauce thickness and prevent dryness.

Creamy Tomato Beef Orzo: Store and Reuse

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will keep fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and restore moisture. Stir occasionally until heated through.
• Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that cream-based sauces might slightly separate when frozen, but stirring will help restore texture.

Tomato Cream Orzo Matching Ideas

• Elevate Flavor with Red Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich tomato cream sauce and ground beef, cutting through the dish's richness with its bright acidity.
• Crisp Side Salad Companion: Prepare a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy, hearty main dish, adding a fresh and peppery contrast to the meal.
• Garlic Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato cream sauce, providing an extra layer of flavor and texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Mediterranean Herb Complement: Sprinkle additional fresh herbs like oregano or parsley over the dish to intensify the Mediterranean-inspired flavors and add a vibrant green touch to the presentation.

Beef Orzo Skillet with Creamy Sauce Versions

• Vegetarian Powerhouse: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a lactose-free alternative that maintains rich texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Increase red pepper flakes and add harissa paste for an extra kick of North African-inspired flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute orzo with cauliflower rice or quinoa to make the dish completely gluten-free while keeping the same delicious sauce consistency.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure you cook it thoroughly and season well.

• Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can control the heat level. Without them, the dish is mild and creamy with a classic tomato flavor.

• What type of orzo works best?

Any standard orzo pasta will work great. Whole wheat or regular orzo both hold up well in this one-pan recipe and absorb the sauce beautifully.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Consider using lean ground beef, low-fat cream, and adding extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to boost nutritional value without compromising taste.

Ground Beef Orzo With Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired ground beef orzo brings robust flavors dancing across plates, filling kitchens with comforting aromas. Rich tomato cream sauce and tender pasta create a delightful weeknight dinner you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Garnish:

• Fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet over medium temperature, drizzling olive oil to coat the bottom smoothly.
2. Introduce diced onions into the pan, allowing them to soften and become translucent while gently stirring.
3. Sprinkle minced garlic into the aromatics, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release its robust fragrance.
4. Crumble ground beef into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to break down the meat into uniform pieces while seasoning with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
5. Continue cooking the meat until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown color with no remaining pink areas.
6. Pour crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture, incorporating red pepper flakes for a subtle kick of heat, then reduce the temperature and let the sauce simmer and develop depth.
7. Introduce orzo directly into the skillet, accompanied by water or broth, ensuring the grains are fully submerged in the liquid.
8. Raise the heat momentarily to establish a rolling boil, then immediately lower to a gentle simmer, allowing the orzo to absorb the flavorful liquid and become tender.
9. When the pasta reaches an al dente consistency and most liquid has disappeared, stream heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously.
10. Let the sauce thicken slightly, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that coats the meat and pasta.
11. Transfer to serving dishes, generously garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter dish.
• For a healthier version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to lower calorie content.
• Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for different dietary needs.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of red wine during the tomato simmering stage for deeper, richer taste notes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg