Description
A comforting one-pan Ground Beef Orzo Skillet featuring lean ground beef, tender orzo pasta, and fresh baby spinach all simmered together in a savory marinara sauce with a creamy blend of cottage cheese and Parmesan for extra richness. This hearty yet simple meal comes together quickly on the stovetop, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup blended cottage cheese (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook the beef and onion: Add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large, deep skillet or dutch oven and cook over medium heat. Break up the beef with a spoon as it browns and continues cooking until fully cooked through and the onion is softened.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to let the flavors meld and the garlic to become fragrant.
- Simmer orzo in sauce: Pour in the dry orzo, marinara sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything well to combine, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Add creamy cheese and spinach: Stir in the blended cottage cheese, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan, and fresh baby spinach. Continue cooking for 2 to 4 minutes until the spinach wilts and the dish is heated through completely.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Blended cottage cheese can be made by processing regular cottage cheese in a blender until smooth to add creaminess.
- Using lean ground beef helps reduce fat content while keeping rich flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a lighter taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: ground beef recipe, orzo skillet, quick skillet dinner, one-pan meal, easy weeknight dinner, Italian beef pasta, creamy orzo dish
