Hey there, cooking enthusiasts!
Are you in the mood for something comforting and tasty? I’ve got a recipe that’ll hit the spot!
Today, I’m whipping up some ground beef orzo with a creamy tomato sauce.
It’s hearty, full of flavor, and so simple to make.
Perfect for a cozy dinner or a family meal.
Let’s dive into this deliciousness together!
Suggestions for Ingredient Substitution
For the lean minced beef, ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives can be used to reduce fat content or accommodate vegetarian diets. Adjust cooking time as needed, as these substitutes may cook faster than beef. To replace orzo pasta, consider using small-shaped gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Reduce cooking time for cauliflower rice. Heavy cream can be substituted with coconut cream or cashew cream for a dairy-free version. These alternatives provide similar richness and creaminess. Use slightly less coconut cream, as it’s typically thicker than dairy cream. For each substitution, adjust seasoning to taste, as flavor profiles may vary slightly from the original ingredients.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 25-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1900-2100
- Protein: 95-105 g
- Fat: 130-140 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
For the main dish:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3-4 cloves garlic (freshly minced)
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta (I use Barilla orzo for this recipe)
- salt
- 3/4 cup beef stock (try Better Than Bouillon for rich flavor)
- 14 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 medium onion (finely diced)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
For the finish:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by adding the ground beef to a soup pot or Dutch oven.
Break it up a little with your spoon, then let it cook without stirring over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes.
This allows the beef to brown evenly.
Step 2: Add Onion and Break Up the Beef
After the initial browning, add the chopped onion to the pot.
Stir and break the beef into smaller pieces.
Allow the mixture to cook for another 5 minutes.
If you notice there’s a lot of excess fat due to using non-lean beef, carefully spoon some of it out.
Otherwise, you can leave it in for flavor.
Step 3: Incorporate Aromatics and Orzo
Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and orzo pasta.
Cook this mixture for about a minute, allowing the flavors to blend and the orzo to start toasting slightly.
Step 4: Add Liquids and Simmer
Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
Allow the mixture to start bubbling, then continue cooking for 10 minutes uncovered.
Be sure to stir fairly often to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Adjust the heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a gentle bubble rather than a vigorous boil.
This ensures the pasta cooks through without the liquid reducing too quickly.
Step 5: Finish with Spinach and Cheese
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach.
Cover the pot and allow it to sit for about 3-5 minutes, giving the dish time to thicken and the spinach to wilt as desired.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the dish has thickened to your preference, serve immediately while hot.
Check out the troubleshooting tips in the blog post and notes if needed for perfect results every time.
Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!
delicious