Go Back
One-Pot Creamy Ground Beef Orzo Recipe (30 Minutes)

Creamy Beef and Spinach Orzo

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground beef Lean, 80/20 or 90/10
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta Dry, uncooked
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 cup Yellow onion Diced
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Minced
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 2.5 cups Beef broth Low sodium preferred
  • 0.5 cup Heavy cream Can substitute with half and half
  • 3 cups Fresh baby spinach Roughly chopped if desired
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese Grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  • Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Mix in the tomato paste, coating the meat evenly, and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the dry orzo pasta.
  • Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  • Stir in the heavy cream and fresh baby spinach. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.