Description
Hearty ground beef orzo brings Mediterranean comfort straight to your kitchen, blending robust flavors with simple ingredients. Pasta lovers will savor this one-pan wonder that delivers rich, satisfying textures you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) diced tomatoes (or 1 ½ cups fresh diced tomatoes)
Starches, Liquids, and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (200 grams) uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Ignite a robust skillet over medium flame, introducing ground beef and fragmenting it into delicate morsels while searing to a rich golden-brown hue. Eliminate surplus rendering if necessary.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion, sautéing until translucent and fragrant. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture.
- Cascade orzo into the seasoned protein landscape, gently tumbling and coating each pasta grain with the savory essence, creating a light toasted undertone.
- Stream beef or chicken broth alongside diced tomatoes, integrating their vibrant liquid. Shower the concoction with oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and freshly cracked pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Decrease thermal intensity, allowing the mixture to softly bubble. Cloak with a lid, permitting gentle simmering for approximately 10-12 minutes. Periodically agitate contents, monitoring orzo’s tenderness and liquid absorption. Supplement with occasional liquid splash if mixture threatens adhesion.
- Optional decadence emerges through folding grated Parmesan, imparting luxurious creaminess and nuanced depth.
- Conclude by adorning with verdant parsley fragments. Present piping hot, accompanied by crisp salad or rustic bread for a comprehensive culinary experience.
Notes
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, ensuring a lighter, less oily dish that lets other flavors shine.
- Toasting orzo before adding liquid creates a nutty, rich undertone that elevates the overall taste profile dramatically.
- Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the recipe’s robust seasoning.
- Keep liquid levels consistent by adding small amounts during cooking, preventing dry or mushy orzo textures and maintaining perfect pasta consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg