Description
This One-Pot Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet brings all the juicy, cheesy comfort of a classic cheeseburger into a quick, weeknight-friendly pasta dinner. Ground beef, tender orzo, melty cheddar, and tangy burger-style toppings all cook together in a single skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. It’s hearty, kid-approved, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80–90% lean)
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh (with juices)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped dill pickles, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until softened and fragrant but not browned.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spatula, for 5–7 minutes or until browned and cooked through. If there is excess grease, carefully drain it off and return the skillet to the heat.
- Stir in the orzo, beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and black pepper until everything is evenly combined.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then gently stir until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy and well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm, topped with chopped dill pickles and fresh parsley for that full cheeseburger-inspired finish.
Notes
- If your skillet doesn’t have a lid, cover it tightly with foil while the orzo simmers to keep the moisture in.
- The mixture should be creamy but not soupy; if it looks too dry before the orzo is tender, add a splash of extra broth and continue cooking.
- For a milder onion flavor, sauté the onion a bit longer until lightly golden and sweet before adding the beef.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt; pre-shredded cheese may be slightly less creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, One-Pot Meal
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal (approx.)
- Sugar: 5 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 820 mg (approx., varies by broth, cheese, and Worcestershire sauce)
- Fat: 24 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 10 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0–1 g (approx., depending on beef)
- Carbohydrates: 32 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 2 g (approx.)
- Protein: 28 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 90 mg (approx.)
Keywords: one-pot cheeseburger orzo, cheeseburger pasta skillet, ground beef orzo, easy weeknight dinner, 30-minute meal