Creamy Ground Beef Orzo
A cozy one-pot dinner made with savory ground beef, tender orzo, a rich tomato cream sauce, and melty cheddar cheese. Hearty, creamy, and packed with comfort-food flavor, this easy weeknight meal feels a little like homemade Hamburger Helper - but richer, creamier, and so much better.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups tomato passata (or tomato sauce)
- 4 ½ cups beef broth, plus more as needed
- 1 16-ounce package orzo
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Chopped chives, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and mostly cooked through.
- Stir in the onion and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Then, add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened and fragrant.
- Pour in the tomato passata and beef broth, then stir in the orzo. Mix well so the pasta is evenly distributed.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often so it doesn't stick to the bottom, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add more broth as needed if the mixture thickens too quickly.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted, creamy, and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with chopped chives and serve warm.
Notes
- Stir the orzo often. It loves to settle and stick to the bottom of the pan if left alone too long.
- Keep extra broth nearby. Orzo absorbs liquid quickly and every stove cooks a little differently.
- Serve right away for the creamiest texture. Like most creamy pasta dishes, this thickens as it sits.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully. Add a splash of broth, milk, or cream to loosen everything back up.
Nutrition
Calories: 720kcal, Carbohydrates: 64g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 118mg, Sodium: 1190mg, Potassium: 885mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 951IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 208mg, Iron: 5mg