Description
This comforting Cheeseburger Orzo recipe combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with creamy orzo pasta in a single skillet dish. Ground beef is browned and seasoned, then simmered with orzo, beef broth, and cream until tender. Finished with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, this creamy, cheesy dish is garnished with diced pickles and tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor. Perfect for a quick family dinner or anytime you crave cheeseburger flavors in a pasta form.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Pasta and Liquids
- 1 cup (136 g) orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups (480 g) beef broth
- 1 cup (238 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Cheese
- 1/2 cup (57 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup (57 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Additional
- salt and pepper, to taste
- pickles, diced (optional for garnish)
- tomatoes, diced (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onions: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and hamburger seasoning. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add Garlic: Stir minced garlic into the browned beef mixture and cook for an additional 1 minute to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add Orzo and Liquids: Pour in the uncooked orzo pasta, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Orzo: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 10-12 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season the dish with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, garnished with diced pickles and tomatoes if using, for a flavorful cheeseburger twist.
Notes
- For a lower-fat option, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the dish will be less creamy.
- Hamburger seasoning can be replaced with a mix of salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder if unavailable.
- Stir frequently while simmering to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Optional garnishes like diced pickles and tomatoes add freshness and a classic cheeseburger flavor but can be omitted or substituted.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
