Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where hearty pasta meets creamy comfort. Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce simmers tender orzo pasta with savory browned beef in a rich tomato-cream sauce finished with Parmesan for weeknight perfection.

Perfect for busy evenings, family dinners, or cozy pasta nights.

One-pot recipe ready in 30 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

• Orzo cooks perfectly in the flavorful sauce, absorbing tomato richness.
• Ground beef adds hearty protein and depth.
• Tomato paste builds concentrated umami base.
• Heavy cream creates velvety texture without separation.
• Parmesan melts into glossy finish.

Ingredients & Prep

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
• 1½ cups orzo pasta
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Brown ground beef 5-7 minutes, breaking apart. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook 2-3 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook 1-2 minutes until darkened.
4. Add crushed tomatoes and broth; bring to simmer. Stir in uncooked orzo.
5. Cover and simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and liquid mostly absorbed.
6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan; simmer 2-3 minutes until creamy and thickened. Season to taste.
7. Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve hot.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days. Reheat with splash of broth or cream. Freezes up to 2 months.

FAQs

Orzo mushy? Check at 10 minutes; remove from heat immediately when al dente.
Sauce too thick? Add pasta water or broth while simmering.
Make ahead? Prepare through orzo cooking; add cream before serving.

Conclusion

Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce delivers cozy one-pot comfort with rich flavors and perfect pasta texture. Satisfying, simple, and family-approved. Find more one-pan pasta at dishfoody.com.

Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

Creamy Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce a cozy one-pan pasta dinner made with tender orzo, rich tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup dry orzo
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

• 1. Cook orzo in salted boiling water according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
• 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned.
• 3. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes, then stir in garlic.
• 4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• 5. Simmer 8–10 minutes to thicken.
• 6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan, simmering until creamy.
• 7. Fold in the cooked orzo and combine.
• 8. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

Notes

• Add spinach at the end for extra veggies.
• Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
• Use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of beef.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 31g
• Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Ground Beef Orzo, creamy orzo, tomato cream sauce pasta