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One-Pot Ground Beef & Orzo in 30 Minutes Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 38 reviews

This Hearty One-Pot Ground Beef & Orzo is a quick and budget-friendly dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Made with lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and Italian-seasoned tomatoes, it comes together in just 30 minutes using pantry staples. Cozy and flavorful, it’s an easy meal that requires minimal cleanup and is sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Produce

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (or other leafy greens)

Meat

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

Pantry

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • Grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon until it is fully browned.
  3. Add flavor: Stir in the minced garlic and the canned diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, mixing well to combine the flavors.
  4. Cook the orzo: Add the orzo pasta, beef broth, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir to ensure the orzo is submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender.
  5. Finish with greens: Stir in the fresh spinach, cover the skillet again, and let it wilt for about 1 minute. Give everything a final stir to incorporate the greens fully.
  6. Serve: Serve the one-pot dish warm, garnished with grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
  • Low-sodium beef broth keeps the sodium in check; adjust seasoning at the end if needed.
  • Orzo cooks quickly—do not overcook to avoid mushy pasta.
  • Spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.

Keywords: one pot dinner, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, orzo pasta, easy family meals, Italian seasoning, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/one-pot-ground-beef-and-orzo-in-30-minutes-recipe/