Description
Baked Orzo is a delightful dish brimming with flavor. This one-pan meal combines ground beef, marinara, and creamy cheese, making it perfect for a quick family dinner. Enjoy a comforting, hearty dish that’s simple to prepare and sure to please!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion (1 small onion)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (95/5)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 12 ounces dry uncooked orzo (about 1 ¾ cups)
- 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the beef is browned and onions are translucent, about 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce and beef broth to the skillet, then mix in the uncooked orzo. Bring to a simmer. (You can transfer to a greased casserole dish at this point if preferred.)
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, stir the mixture, and fold in baby spinach until it wilts. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Return the skillet to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Broil for 1 minute if a golden top is desired.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
For extra flavor, use Italian seasoning in the beef mixture.
Feel free to substitute the ground beef with turkey or a meat alternative for a lighter option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg