Name: Creamy Ground Beef and Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked; 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 2 cups beef broth; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; Fresh basil, to serve

Made in one pot and ready in 30 minutes, this creamy ground beef and orzo is perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s delicious, nutritious, and something the whole family can enjoy.

White bowl of creamy ground beef and orzo with fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan cheese on top on a dark wood plate with a gold fork and a beige and white checkered tea towel.

If you’re looking for a hearty meal that you can get on the table in a hurry, look no further than this one-pot ground beef and orzo recipe. It combines beef with tender orzo in a creamy tomato sauce to create a crowd-pleasing meal without much effort.

And the best part is, it’s incredibly versatile. While this recipe only calls for tomato sauce, you can sneak in extra veggies, like baby spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers, without compromising the flavors or texture of the dish.

Close of up of a bowl of ground beef orzo pasta with basil and parmesan cheese on top.

Why You’ll Love It

Quick and Easy – This 30-minute recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
High in Protein – Each serving is loaded with over 35 grams of protein.
Made in One Pot – This one-pot recipe keeps prep and cleanup to a minimum.

Plate of lean ground beef, bowls of spices, bowl of parmesan cheese, jar of heavy cream, bowl of orzo, onion and garlic, jug of beef broth, and a bowl of crushed tomatoes.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Ground Beef – To add some protein. I used lean beef, but you can use regular or extra-lean ground beef if desired, or use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
Orzo – To add some complex carbohydrates to the recipe. I used regular orzo, but you can use whole wheat orzo if preferred, or any small pasta shape you like.
Tomatoes – To make the sauce. The recipe calls for crushed tomatoes, but you can use diced tomatoes or tomato sauce if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Onion + Garlic – To add some flavor. The recipe calls for a whole onion and garlic cloves, but you can use onion powder and garlic powder if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Italian Seasoning – To add some flavor. I used an Italian seasoning blend, but you can use dried thyme if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Red Pepper Flakes – To add some heat, although optional.
Beef Broth – To make the sauce. You can use regular or low-sodium beef broth, or vegetable broth if preferred.
Heavy Cream – To make the creamy sauce. The recipe calls for heavy cream, but you can use table cream or half-and-half if preferred.
Parmesan Cheese – To add some more protein and thicken the sauce.
Fresh Basil – To serve, although optional.

Grid of 4 images with a pot with cooked ground beef and onion; pot with ground beef and orzo on top; pot with ground beef and orzo mixed together; and pot with ground beef, orzo, beef broth, and crushed tomatoes.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free orzo and gluten-free beef broth.

To Make it Dairy-Free: This recipe cannot be made dairy-free.

Grid of 4 images with a pot of cooked ground beef, orzo, tomatoes, and beef broth; pot of cooked ground beef, cooked orzo, tomatoes, and beef broth; pot of cooked ground beef, cooked orzo, tomatoes, and beef broth with heavy cream and parmesan cheese on top; and a pot with creamy ground beef orzo mixture.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Lean ground beef is one of the leanest cuts of beef and balances rich flavor with a lower fat content, making it an excellent choice for this orzo dish. However, if you want to reduce the saturated fat even further, extra-lean ground beef is an easy substitute.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy ground beef and orzo pasta is a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fats. It can be enjoyed on its own or adapted to suit your personal calorie or macro needs. For example:

To make it higher in protein, add an additional 1/2 pound of lean ground beef to the recipe.
To make it lower in fat, use extra-lean ground beef and swap the heavy cream for table cream or half-and-half.
To add more veggies, add some fresh spinach and/or serve it with a side salad.

Pot with creamy ground beef and orzo pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top with a wooden serving spoon and small bowl of red pepper flakes on the side.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the ground beef and orzo to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Once cooled, transfer the beef and orzo to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Once thawed, the ground beef and orzo can be reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

More Ground Beef Recipes:

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