Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printable)

Hearty skillet with ground beef, orzo, bell peppers, and tomatoes in savory broth topped with Parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Pasta & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
05 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
06 - 1 cup frozen peas
07 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

→ Aromatics

08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups beef broth

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Oils

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper; sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until the bell pepper softens.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 10 minutes.
06 - Add orzo pasta, stirring to combine. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
07 - Fold in frozen peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze and you can sit down faster.
  • The orzo soaks up all the savory tomato broth, making every spoonful rich and satisfying.
  • Its forgiving enough for beginners but flavorful enough to impress anyone at the table.
02 -
  • Stir the orzo every few minutes once its in the skillet, or it can stick to the bottom and burn.
  • If the liquid absorbs too fast and the orzo isnt tender yet, add a splash more broth or water and keep cooking.
  • Dont skip draining the beef fat, it really does make the final dish taste cleaner and lighter.
03 -
  • Let the beef get a good sear before stirring it too much, those browned edges add serious flavor.
  • Grate your own Parmesan if you can, it melts smoother and tastes fresher than the pre-grated stuff.
  • If you want it creamier, stir in a few spoonfuls of cream or extra cheese at the very end.
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