You are about to discover a serious weeknight hero: Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce. This dish checks every box—it’s deeply savory, lusciously creamy, satisfyingly hearty, and miraculously easy to pull together in just thirty minutes. Each forkful delivers tender orzo swimming in a silky tomato sauce, tangy with Parmesan and fragrant with Italian herbs, while juicy morsels of ground beef make it a full-on comfort meal. If you love Italian-inspired flavors and crave a dinner that brings everyone running to the table, keep this one in your back pocket!

Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce starts with a handful of humble, everyday ingredients. Nothing fancy here—just pure, home-cooked goodness, where each element brings its own flair to the party, adding vital layers of taste, texture, or gorgeous color.

Ground beef: Use 80% or 85% lean for flavor without too much grease; it forms the hearty backbone of the dish.
Olive oil: Just a splash helps the onions soften and creates a subtle, fruity base.
Onion: Diced small, onion melts into the sauce and builds a sweet aromatic foundation.
Garlic: Minced garlic elevates the whole skillet with irresistible, toasty fragrance.
Dried oregano: This herb infuses warmth and balances the richness of the cream.
Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors—don’t skip or skimp!
Black pepper: Adds just the right touch of pep to the sauce.
Tomato paste: Concentrated, sweet depth in every spoonful—it’s the secret to a robust tomato base.
Diced tomatoes (canned): Use them undrained for juicy, tomato-packed sauce and tender orzo.
Heavy cream: Just a half cup transforms tangy tomatoes into a gorgeously velvety sauce.
Beef broth: Not only does it cook the orzo, but it also adds savory depth to every bite.
Orzo pasta: This rice-shaped pasta soaks up all of the saucy goodness while keeping things creamy.
Parmesan cheese: A generous handful melts in at the end, giving a salty, nutty finish.
Fresh basil or parsley: A sprinkle of green not only looks fresh but adds a bright, herby lift for serving.

How to Make Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Grab your favorite large skillet or sauté pan and set it over medium heat. Drizzle in the olive oil, then add your diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and turns slightly golden—about three to four minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and let it bubble and perfume the kitchen for just thirty seconds so it doesn’t burn but gets beautifully aromatic.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Add the ground beef straight into the pan, using a sturdy spoon or spatula to break it up into smaller pieces. Sauté everything together, letting the beef release its juices and brown all over. If there’s a lot of extra fat, feel free to drain it off, but leave just enough for flavor. This step ensures the meat has great texture (not mushy!) and packs plenty of savory flavor into your sauce.

Step 3: Season and Build the Sauce

With the beef perfectly browned, stir in the dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste. The tomato paste should darken a bit as you mix, intensifying its flavor and giving your sauce an irresistible richness. Next, add the undrained canned diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and beef broth, stirring well so everything is evenly combined. Finally, pour in the dry orzo—no need to pre-cook it, as it cooks right in the sauce and soaks up all those glorious flavors!

Step 4: Simmer Until Orzo is Tender

Turn the heat to medium-low, put a lid on the skillet, and let the Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce gently bubble away for ten to twelve minutes. Make sure to give it a stir every now and then to prevent sticking. The orzo will plump up, digesting the sauce’s flavors and thickening things just right—as soon as it’s tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, you’re ready to finish things off.

Step 5: Add Parmesan and Finish

Right before serving, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce, adding that signature creamy, nutty finish. Go ahead and taste your masterpiece—add a pinch more salt and pepper if you like. Now all it needs is a flourish of fresh basil or parsley piled on top, and your skillet is ready to hit the table.

How to Serve Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a pretty, flavorful garnish! Shower your Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce with extra Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and a scattering of torn basil or chopped parsley for freshness and color. Lemon zest or a drizzle of olive oil can take it up another notch if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Keep things simple with a crisp green salad dressed in a punchy vinaigrette, or pair it with garlicky roasted broccoli or asparagus. A crusty loaf of bread is a must for scooping up every drop of that luscious sauce—and if you want even more Italian vibes, go for garlic bread on the side!

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce in shallow pasta bowls with a twirl of extra orzo in the center, or spoon it into mini ramekins for individual servings at a dinner party. Leftovers also make a killer filling for stuffed bell peppers—simply bake until the peppers are tender and the tops get a little crispy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce into an airtight container as soon as it cools to room temperature. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, and the flavors only deepen overnight—making tomorrow’s lunch or dinner even better!

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze this dish! Cool the orzo completely, then scoop single or family-sized portions into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep for up to two months. Just know that the orzo might get a little softer once thawed, but it will still taste wonderful.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef broth or water to help loosen the sauce. Stir gently and heat until warmed through, then give it a fresh sprinkle of Parmesan or herbs before serving again.

FAQs

Can I substitute the ground beef with another protein?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work well here, and for a vegetarian spin, crumbled plant-based meat or lentils provide a hearty texture and soak up the creamy tomato sauce beautifully.

Is there a way to lighten up Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce?

Yes! Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, and consider swapping some of the beef with extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or even baby spinach for extra nutrition and color.

Can I make it gluten-free?

You can! Look for gluten-free orzo or another small gluten-free pasta shape. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as some pasta alternatives may cook more quickly or slowly.

How do I prevent the orzo from sticking to the pan?

Give the orzo a stir every few minutes as it simmers, and make sure there’s enough liquid in the skillet so it cooks evenly. If it absorbs too quickly, simply add a splash more broth or water to keep things creamy.

Does this recipe double well?

Definitely! You can easily double all ingredients for a crowd—just use your largest pot or Dutch oven, and extend the cooking time by a few minutes if needed to make sure the orzo stays tender but not mushy.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something irresistible about a big, bubbling skillet of Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce. Whether you’re after a cozy family dinner or a dish that wows at casual gatherings, this recipe always hits the spot. Give it a try, let the creamy tomato goodness win you over, and watch it disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please!”

Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal that is perfect for a family dinner. The creamy tomato sauce pairs beautifully with the tender orzo pasta and savory ground beef.

Ingredients

Scale

Ground Beef:

1 lb ground beef

Tomato Cream Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups beef broth
1 cup dry orzo pasta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Tomato Cream Sauce: In a large skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and ground beef. Add seasoning, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, cream, broth, and orzo. Simmer until orzo is tender.