Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce
A comforting and creamy dish that combines tender ground beef, orzo pasta, and a rich tomato cream sauce, perfect for family dinners or quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- to taste salt and pepper
- for serving grated Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Cooking
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and dried basil, and cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the tomato puree and heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, heating through and thickening slightly.
- Add the cooked orzo to the sauce in the pot, stirring well to combine. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Spoon the orzo and beef mixture into serving bowls, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
For a lighter version, feel free to swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Consider adding spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stove, adding water or cream if needed to loosen the sauce.