One Pot Beef Orzo

The household chore I hate most is doing dishes, so if you can get dinner on the table in one pot, sign me up! This One Pot Beef Orzo is easy to throw together and makes cleanup a breeze, and it tastes so freaking good. My husband called it “gourmet Hamburger Helper,” and I don't think I could come up with a better description. It has that same cozy, comforting hamburger-and-pasta feel, but with a creamy tomato sauce, Parmesan, spinach, and Greek yogurt that takes the whole thing up a notch. And did I mention there's only one pot to wash? Because that's still my favorite part.

If one-pot dinners are your love language too, my One Pot Taco Pasta and One Pot Taco Tortellini are two more easy dinners to add to the list. Because the fewer dishes waiting for me after dinner, the happier I am.

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Dutch oven or medium pot
• Wooden spoon

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One Pot Beef Orzo ingredients

• Olive oil: A little olive oil gets everything started and helps cook the beef and onion.
• Ground beef: One pound of ground beef gives this orzo that hearty, comforting flavor that earned it the nickname “gourmet Hamburger Helper” in my house.
• Onion: A diced yellow or white onion works perfectly here.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds another layer of savory flavor.
• Italian seasoning: Gives the beef and tomato sauce plenty of flavor without pulling out six different spice jars.
• Onion powder and garlic powder: Yes, we're using these along with fresh onion and garlic. They season the entire sauce and give it even more flavor.
• Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that bring everything together.
• Beef broth: The orzo cooks directly in the broth, which means more flavor and, most importantly, no second pot.
• Tomato sauce: Creates the tomato base for the creamy sauce.
• Orzo: This small pasta cooks right in the sauce and releases starch as it cooks, helping everything become nice and creamy.
• Baby spinach: Wilts right into the finished dish for an easy way to sneak some greens into dinner.
• Parmesan: Adds salty, cheesy flavor and helps make the sauce even creamier.
• Greek yogurt: Stirred in at the end for a creamy finish without needing heavy cream.

For full ingredients and directions, scroll down to the recipe card below.

How to make One Pot Beef Orzo

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or medium pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Use a wooden spoon to break the beef into bite-size pieces and cook until browned and the onion has softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.

Season the ground beef with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and orzo. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes so the orzo doesn't settle onto the bottom of the pot and stick.

Once the orzo is tender, stir in the baby spinach, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan. Cook just until the spinach has wilted.

If the orzo has soaked up more liquid than you'd like, add a splash of beef broth until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency. Serve warm and enjoy having exactly one pot to wash.

How do I serve One Pot Beef Orzo?

This meal is hearty enough to serve all on its own, which is kind of the whole point of a one-pot dinner. You've got ground beef, tender orzo, spinach, and that creamy tomato sauce all hanging out in one pot. If you want something on the side, garlic bread is perfect for scooping up the extra sauce. Then finish dinner with something sweet like Rolo Cookies or Cannoli Dip. Gourmet Hamburger Helper followed by dessert sounds like a pretty solid night to me.

FAQs (Because Life’s Too Busy for Guesswork)

Substitutions and variations

• Olive oil: You can use avocado oil instead.
• Onion: Yellow or white onion both work well in this recipe.
• Italian seasoning: Store-bought or homemade Italian seasoning will work.
• Beef broth: Beef stock is an easy substitute. You can also use mushroom stock, though it will change the flavor slightly.
• Parmesan: Substitute Romano or Asiago for Parmesan.
• Greek yogurt: Use sour cream instead. Stir it in after removing the pot from the heat, just like the Greek yogurt.
• Make it spicy: Add about 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper with the seasonings or top individual servings with crushed red pepper flakes.
• Add more vegetables: Mushrooms and bell peppers can cook with the beef and onion. Add zucchini toward the end of the orzo cooking time.

How should I store One Pot Beef Orzo?

Store leftover One Pot Beef Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave in 45 to 60-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through. Since the orzo will continue absorbing sauce as it sits, stir in a small splash of beef broth before reheating if your leftovers are thicker than you'd like.

I don't recommend freezing this one. The orzo can become much softer after freezing and thawing, and the creamy sauce can also change in texture. This is one of those recipes that's much better eaten fresh or reheated from the refrigerator.

One Pot Beef Orzo

One Pot Beef Orzo is an easy 30-minute dinner with ground beef, tender orzo, spinach, Parmesan, and Greek yogurt in a creamy tomato sauce.

Servings: 5 People

Author: Stephanie

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Total Time:30 minutes mins

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Dutch oven or medium pot
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or medium pot over medium heat.
• Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Using a wooden spoon, break the ground beef into bite-size pieces and cook until browned and the onion has softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
• Season the ground beef with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and orzo. Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes to prevent the orzo from sticking, until the orzo is tender.
• Stir in the baby spinach, Parmesan and greek yogurt. Cook until the spinach is wilted.

Notes

• Stir the orzo every 2 to 3 minutes while it cooks to help prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• The sauce should be creamy but not overly thick. If the orzo absorbs too much liquid, add a splash of beef broth until it reaches your preferred consistency.
• For a spicy version, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper with the seasonings or add crushed red pepper flakes to individual servings.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing because the texture of the orzo and creamy sauce can change after thawing.