This Ground Beef Orzo Skillet brings together simple pantry ingredients for a truly comforting one-pan meal. Tender orzo pasta simmers in a tomato-rich broth infused with herbs and garlic, while juicy ground beef gives it a hearty bite. Finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, it’s a dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make.
Perfect for weeknights when time is short but you still want a meal that feels homemade and hearty. This dish is a great alternative to traditional pasta bakes or stews—it’s quick, full of flavor, and requires very little cleanup. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, this skillet dinner will quickly become a go-to favorite.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
-
1 lb ground beef
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 small onion, diced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
-
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
-
1/2 cup tomato sauce
-
2 cups beef broth
-
1 cup orzo pasta
-
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Directions:
-
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
-
Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
-
Season with salt and black pepper, then stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a gentle boil.
-
Add orzo and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
-
Stir in Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning if needed.
-
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Orzo Skillet
This Ground Beef Orzo Skillet is the kind of meal that checks all the boxes for busy families, home cooks short on time, and anyone looking to enjoy a wholesome, hearty dinner without the hassle of complicated prep or cleanup. It’s made in one pan, takes only about 30 minutes from start to finish, and delivers incredible comfort and depth of flavor that you might expect from a slow-simmered dish. The combination of rich ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and a tangy tomato-herb sauce makes every bite satisfying and delicious. The addition of Parmesan cheese gives the dish a final savory touch, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds color and brightness.
A Cozy, One-Pan Wonder for Any Night of the Week
One-pot meals like this one have become a staple in modern home kitchens for a reason—they offer maximum reward for minimal effort. There’s something inherently cozy about a skillet meal bubbling gently on the stove, especially one that fills the kitchen with the aroma of garlic, onion, and herbs mingling with a robust tomato sauce. Whether you’re coming home from work, juggling kids’ schedules, or just want a meal that feels indulgent without being complicated, this recipe has your back. Cleanup is a breeze, too—just one skillet to wash!
What Makes This Dish So Flavorful
The beauty of this dish lies in its layers of flavor built right in the skillet. It starts with browning the beef, which creates a savory base, followed by sautéing aromatic onions and garlic. The inclusion of Italian seasoning brings a familiar herbaceous note, and optional red pepper flakes add a subtle kick if you like a little spice. Diced tomatoes and tomato sauce simmer together to make a quick yet deeply flavorful sauce, while the orzo pasta cooks directly in that liquid, soaking up all the seasoning. By cooking everything together, the dish develops a cohesion of flavors you don’t often get from separate elements tossed together at the end.
The Versatility of Orzo in a Savory Skillet
Orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, is a fantastic ingredient for dishes like this. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, making it ideal for one-pot meals. Unlike larger pasta shapes, orzo becomes wonderfully tender without turning mushy, and its small size allows it to blend harmoniously with the ground beef and sauce. It almost creates a risotto-like texture—creamy, cohesive, and extremely satisfying. If you’ve never used orzo beyond soups or side dishes, this recipe is a great introduction to its full potential as the star of a main course.
Great for Meal Prep and Leftovers
This dish isn’t just a weeknight win—it’s also perfect for make-ahead meals and leftovers. The flavors deepen and meld even more overnight, making it a great option to pack for lunch or reheat for dinner the next day. It stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, and the portion sizes are flexible—double the batch to feed a crowd or freeze individual portions for busy nights when cooking from scratch isn’t in the cards. It’s a truly dependable dish to keep in your rotation.
Kid-Friendly and Family Approved
Another highlight of this Ground Beef Orzo Skillet is its universal appeal. Kids love it because it’s cheesy, saucy, and easy to eat. Adults love it because it’s comforting without being overly heavy, and it hits that perfect balance of carbs, protein, and flavor. You can serve it as-is for a satisfying complete meal, or pair it with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread for a fuller spread. This is one of those rare dishes that pleases picky eaters and adventurous palates alike.
How to Customize It to Your Taste
One of the best things about this skillet meal is how easily it can be customized based on what you have on hand. Don’t have ground beef? Use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat. Want more veggies? Stir in chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. Prefer a spicier version? Increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce. If you’re gluten-free, you can swap out the orzo with a certified gluten-free pasta of a similar shape or even cooked rice (though you’ll need to adjust the liquid ratios accordingly). This recipe is forgiving, flexible, and endlessly adaptable to suit your needs.
Make It Your Signature Skillet Meal
Once you’ve made this Ground Beef Orzo Skillet a few times, you might find yourself riffing on it and making it your own. Maybe you like to add a splash of cream for a richer sauce, or perhaps you sprinkle mozzarella on top and broil it for a baked pasta feel. You might even experiment with fresh basil, different cheeses, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving. However you evolve it, this recipe makes a fantastic canvas for your personal flair. It’s more than just a recipe—it’s a starting point for creativity in the kitchen.
Nutritional Balance and Satisfaction
This dish offers a well-rounded meal in a single bowl. You get a good serving of protein from the beef, energizing carbohydrates from the orzo, and healthy fats from the olive oil and Parmesan cheese. By adding in a side of vegetables or mixing in some greens, you can enhance the fiber and nutrient content even more. And because it’s so satisfying, it helps curb cravings and keeps you full for hours, making it a smart choice for anyone trying to eat balanced meals without compromising on flavor.
Perfect for Any Season
While hearty skillet meals are often associated with colder weather, this Ground Beef Orzo Skillet is light enough to enjoy year-round. In winter, it feels like a warm hug. In summer, you can make it with fresh herbs and tomatoes from the garden for a brighter spin. It adapts well to seasonal produce and ingredients, making it a versatile staple that fits any time of year.
Conclusion
The Ground Beef Orzo Skillet is more than just a quick weeknight dinner—it’s a dependable, flavorful, and flexible meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to your table. Its simplicity is its strength, proving that with a few quality ingredients and a solid technique, you can create something truly special without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or meal prepping for the week ahead, this dish will never let you down. With its creamy texture, savory depth, and ease of preparation, it’s bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation.
So the next time you’re in need of a go-to dinner that checks every box, grab a skillet, some ground beef, and a handful of pantry staples—and get ready to enjoy one of the most comforting meals you’ll ever make.