Ground beef, creamy orzo, fresh vegetables, and Parmesan come together in one comforting, satisfying dish.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pantry
12 - 1 1/4 cups orzo pasta
13 - 3 cups beef broth
14 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Dairy
16 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
17 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How to Cook:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add onion, carrot, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for one additional minute.
03 - Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the spices.
04 - Add the orzo pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat the grains evenly with the seasoned beef mixture.
05 - Pour in beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in frozen peas, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until the dish is creamy and thoroughly heated.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
