Creamy Tomato Sauce Ground Beef Orzo
Cozy, weeknight-friendly, and deeply comforting, this Creamy Tomato Sauce Ground Beef Orzo brings big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2½ cups beef broth
- 1½ cups dry orzo
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Mix in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and beef broth; bring to a gentle boil.
- Stir in orzo. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan. Simmer 2–3 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage if desired.
- Add spinach at the end for extra greens.
- Sauce thickens as it sits—thin with broth if needed.
Cozy, weeknight-friendly, and deeply comforting, this Creamy Tomato Sauce Ground Beef Orzo brings big flavor with minimal effort. Tender orzo cooks directly in a silky tomato-cream sauce, absorbing savory beef drippings, garlic, and Italian herbs for a risotto-like texture without constant stirring. Ground beef adds hearty richness, while a splash of cream softens the acidity of tomatoes into a luscious, restaurant-style finish.
Finished with Parmesan and fresh basil, every bite balances brightness, umami, and creaminess. It’s a one-pan dinner that feels indulgent yet practical, perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. Serve it straight from the skillet, or pair with a crisp green salad and warm bread to soak up the sauce. Leftovers reheat beautifully and thicken overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch even better. If you love cozy pasta dinners that come together fast and taste like they simmered all day, this dish will earn a spot here.
