Description

This One-Pot Orzo Bolognese is a hearty, comforting Italian-inspired dish made with sautéed vegetables, lean ground beef, savory tomato broth, and tender orzo pasta. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect family-friendly meal that combines rich flavors and creamy Parmesan cheese, garnished with fresh basil for a vibrant finish.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 pound ground beef (extra lean, if preferred)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cups low-sodium or no-sodium beef broth
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally, about 5-7 minutes.
Brown the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground beef to the vegetables, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink. Season the mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to your taste.
Add Tomato Paste and Diced Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste evenly into the meat and vegetable mixture. Then add the can of diced tomatoes with their juice, mixing well.
Pour in Broth and Bring to Boil: Add the low-sodium or no-sodium beef broth to the pot. Stir everything together and bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer with Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Finish with Parmesan Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the orzo bolognese into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped basil. Serve hot and enjoy a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent orzo from sticking to the bottom.
Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more herbs or spices as preferred.
This dish can be made in advance and reheated; the flavors develop well after resting.
If the mixture becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or water when reheating.