One Pot Creamy Ground Beef Orzo 

One Pot Creamy Ground Beef Orzo is cozy, cheesy, and the kind of comfort food that magically disappears from bowls in minutes.  Think tender orzo, savory ground beef, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce all simmered together in one pot, then finished with melty parmesan, fresh spinach, and a sprinkling of basil.  It’s cozy, comforting, and flavorful enough for guests, but simple enough to throw together on a busy Tuesday night.  

Ingredients for Creamy Ground Beef Orzo Recipe

Onion

1/2 of a medium onion, diced.  I like to dice it pretty small so the onion just melts into the sauce, and you don’t have big chunks.   

Ground Meat

1 pound of ground beef.  I have only made this with beef, but you can also try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based meat.  I’m sure it will be delicious!

Garlic

3-4 garlic cloves, minced.  I always recommend using fresh garlic whenever possible.  

Seasonings

• Red Pepper Flakes-1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Italian Seasoning-1 teaspoon of  Italian seasoning
• Kosher Salt- 1 teaspoon of  salt
• Black Pepper- 1/2 teaspoon of  black pepper

Tomato Paste

1 tablespoon of tomato paste.  I like to get the kind that comes in a tube that you can just store the rest in the refrigerator.  Otherwise, you end up with half a can and nothing to use it for.  

Orzo Pasta

1 cup orzo.  Orzo pasta looks like rice, but it is pasta and will be found with all the other types of pasta.  

Tomato Sauce

1 -15 oz. can of tomato sauce.  Get the tomato sauce that comes in a can, not tomato sauce that is to top pasta with.  The canned version is unseasoned tomatoes that have been stewed down to a pulp, whereas the jar kind has been seasoned and is ready to eat.  

Beef Stock

1 cup beef stock or beef broth.  I find that stock has a richer flavor, but either one works fine in this recipe.  

Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.  Worcestershire sauce is often flavored with vinegar, salt, molasses, garlic, and shallots or onions, soy sauce, and fish sauce.  It adds a rich depth of flavor that I just love, but if you are allergic to fish, then leave this out! 

Heavy Cream

1 cup of heavy cream.  Often called “Heavy Whipping Cream.”  I would not use regular milk or half and half because it won’t get as creamy.  

Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping each serving.  I like to grate the cheese myself, but if you buy the pre-grated kind, be sure it’s fresh and not on a shelf that lasts for months. 

Fresh Spinach

2 cups of fresh baby spinach.  I like to roughly chop it so there are smaller pieces.  But that is my personal preference; you can throw it in without chopping too. 

Fresh Basil

1/4 cup fresh basil, diced for garnish.  I like to add fresh herbs at the end of making this dish.  It adds brightness to it.  You can top each serving or sprinkle it over the whole pot before serving.  

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1- Sauté the onion

Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.  Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.  

Step 2- Brown the ground beef

Add the ground meat to the pan and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon.  Cook for about 5 minutes, until mostly browned with just a little pink remaining.  

Step 3-  Add garlic and seasonings

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.  Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste, then cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.  

Step 4- Stir in the Orzo

Add the orzo to the pan and stir well, coating the pasta in the flavorful beef and tomato mixture.  

Step 5-  Add liquids and simmer

Pour in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock, stirring to combine.  Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender.  Be careful, the orzo can tend to stick to the bottom of the pot, so be sure to stir often.  

Step 6- Make it creamy

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated and the sauce is silky.

Step 7- Add Spinach and Parmesan

Now, stir in the chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese until the spinach begins to wilt and the cheese has melted into the sauce.  Cover and let the pan sit off the heat for 5 minutes.  This will help the spinach soften.  

Step 8-  Garnish and Serve

Next, uncover, give everything a good stir, then top with fresh basil and extra parmesan.  Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed, then serve warm.  

This creamy orzo comes together in one pot and makes a hearty meal the whole family will love. With rich ground beef, tender pasta, and a velvety tomato cream sauce, it’s a delicious dish you’ll reach for again and again. Pair it with a simple green salad and some crusty bread, and dinner is done with just one pan to wash. Scoop into bowls, sprinkle with extra Parmesan, and dig in.

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