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Healthy Ground Beef Orzo Recipe

This Ground Beef Orzo Recipe is a quick, one-pot dinner made with savory lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, garlic, and herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a hearty, budget-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 90% lean recommended
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 –2 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté until soft and fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
  4. Drain excess grease if needed.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, and Italian seasoning; cook briefly.
  6. Pour in broth and add orzo pasta.
  7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until orzo is tender.
  8. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. Remove from heat and mix in Parmesan cheese until creamy.
  10. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Notes

For meal prep, slightly undercook the orzo and add a splash of broth when reheating to restore creaminess.