Description
Creamy Caramelized Onion Butter Beef Orzo is a rich one-pan comfort meal featuring tender ground beef, sweet caramelized onions, buttery orzo, and a creamy Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and herbs. This hearty skillet dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 lb halal lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the remaining butter and the uncooked orzo. Stir for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the pasta.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, if using. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and the caramelized onions.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Take your time caramelizing the onions—they provide the signature sweet, rich flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Add mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables.
- If the orzo absorbs too much liquid, stir in a splash of warm beef broth before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American