One-Pan 30-Minute Cheesy Beef Orzo Skillet

5 from 1 vote

One-Pan 30-Minute Cheesy Beef Orzo Skillet

My one-pan cheesy beef orzo skillet combines ground beef, tender pasta, and spinach in a creamy tomato sauce with mozzarella and Parmesan. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup!

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Keyword: 30 Minute Dinner, 30 Minute Meal, Beef, Comfort Food, Dinner, Easy Recipes, Family Dinner, Homemade, Kid Friendly, One Pan, One Pan Meal, Orzo, Pasta, Quick Dinner, The Cooking Mawma

Servings:

Equipment

1 Large, deep pan with sides

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 white or yellow onion grated
2 garlic cloves grated
1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes omit for no spice
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup uncooked orzo
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth beef or vegetable also work, plus more as needed
1 cup heavy cream
1 rind of parmesan cheese optional
2 handfuls of spinach chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp butter
6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

Brown the beef. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and grated onion with a sprinkle of salt. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
Add the flavor. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the orzo and liquids. Stir in the uncooked orzo, tomato sauce, broth, and heavy cream, and the rind of parmesan (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
Simmer until tender. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes, until the orzo is tender. Stir frequently, scraping the bottom to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth as needed to keep the mixture saucy.
Stir in the spinach. Add the spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, until wilted.
Make it creamy and serve. Remove from the heat. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and butter until melted, then add the basil. Taste and adjust the salt as needed. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little more broth. Serve warm.

Nutrition