Comforting Ground Beef Orzo Dinner (Printable)

A savory skillet dish featuring ground beef, orzo, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Simple to prepare, ideal for busy weeknights.

# 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 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
02 - Stir in 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 chopped parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The orzo creates this creamy almost risotto like texture without any actual cream
  • It reheats beautifully for lunch the next day, possibly tasting even better
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat, so do not let it cook until completely dry or you will end up with a sticky mess
  • If your skillet seems too dry before the orzo is tender, add another splash of broth or water
  • Breaking up the ground beef into really small pieces as it cooks means every bite gets some beef instead of big mouthfuls of just pasta
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a lid that actually fits tightly, or the orzo will not cook evenly
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of using pre grated, it melts into the sauce so much better
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