This ground beef and orzo skillet is a Greek dish also called Manestra. This is an orzo pasta paired with ground beef, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, fresh mint, thyme, and more. Top off the dish with some shaved parmesan cheese for a wholesome dinner.
This is also called Greek Chop Suey. A pasta dish that is full of Greek flavor which creates the perfect comfort food. Whip this up on a night when you want a stick-to-your-bones type of dish. This tomato beef orzo is a popular dish that gets even better the next day as the flavors meld even more together.
Make sure to check out my cheesy chorizo orzo for another orzo recipe that is packed full of flavor.
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Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. You can find the full list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- salt
- black pepper
- diced tomatoes
- chicken broth
- fresh parsley
- fresh mint
- fresh thyme leaves
- cinnamon
- parmesan cheese
- orzo
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the instructions to make this recipe. You can find the full steps in the recipe card.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven you will heat on medium high heat, and cook your ground beef with onions. Once you crumble beef fully, drain off the excess grease.
Add in the garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
Mix in the can of tomatoes, and broth, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Stir in the orzo, reduce the heat to low, and cover and cook for around 15 minutes.
Next stir in some of the fresh herbs and cinnamon. Stir as needed. Once it has cooked down top with grated parmesan and your choice of fresh herb of choice.
Hint: Don’t rush the dish, as the simmer of the ingredients will create layers of flavor for this family favorite.
Variations
Are you looking for a few different ways to change up the flavor of this dish? Let me share a few favorite variations to consider.
- Seafood – Swap the regular ground beef with shrimp, white fish, or even other favorite seafood options. You will add the seafood in at the end of cooking to prevent overcooking the seafood.
- Vegetarian -If you want to create a vegetarian option, consider opting out of the beef. Swap in zucchini, white beans, mushrooms, or even a chickpea or lentil for added heartiness.
- Meat – Swap the ground beef with ground chicken, ground turkey, etc. You are welcome to use any type of ground meat to swap out the lean ground beef in the recipe.
See this spicy black eyed peas and sausage on my website!
Equipment
For this one pot meal you will want to reach for a Dutch oven or a large skillet. You can use a cast iron skillet or a nonstick skillet if you prefer.
Also using a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring is key. This is a great single-pot dinner that requires minimal supplies to make for a flavorful dinner.
Storage
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop. If you need add more beef broth or chicken broth if you find it is too thick in texture.
If you would prefer you are welcome to freeze leftovers as well. Store for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw the mixture in the fridge overnight, or reheat straight from frozen if you prefer. This is a great recipe to save for later.
Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips
- Make sure to not overcook the orzo and cook it till it is al dente or it can become mushy.
- Once you brown your ground beef, make sure to discard excess fat and grease before you add in the chopped onion and garlic.
- Fresh herbs and spices will enhance the flavor dish even more.
- Allow time for the mixture to simmer, and the orzo will soak up all the flavors of the sauce.
- Season to taste and feel free to add more spices and salt and pepper to the dish to enhance the flavor even more.
- If there is too much liquid, make sure to allow the dish to simmer a bit more.
- Stir often when it is on a low simmer to ensure nothing gets burned on the bottom of the pot.
FAQs
While dry orzo offers the best texture and flavor, you can use any type of short pasta. Rigatoni, penne, or other smaller pasta works.
Feel free to add other vegetables for added flavor to the pasta mixture. Zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant, chopped spinach, etc.
Orzo contains gluten, so you will want to opt for a gluten-free pasta to swap. You could opt for rice or even quinoa as a swap for the dish.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ground Beef and Orzo Skillet:
I hope you’ll like this recipe, and please, if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #mamasonabudget— I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Ground Beef and Orzo Skillet
Equipment
- 3 quart skillet or dutch oven
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 29 ounces diced tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley divided
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with onion, crumbling the beef as it cooks, until the meat is no longer pink.
- Stir in the garlic and season with salt and black pepper.
- Drain the beef and onions well and then return it to the skillet.
- Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet and boil over medium heat, scraping the bottom to remove any stuck on pieces.
- Stir in the orzo, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in about half of the parsley (reserving some for a garnish,) mint, thyme, and cinnamon.
- Re-cover the skillet and continue cooking, stirring as needed to avoid burning, until the liquid is absorbed for about 15 minutes.
- Garnish the ground beef and orzo with the remaining parsley and shaved parmesan before serving.