Beef orzo soup stands as the ultimate family comfort food when temperatures drop.
There’s something magical about the way tender orzo swims alongside savory ground beef in that rich, herby broth.
This recipe has been tweaked countless times to achieve perfection, balancing the creaminess with bright tomato notes.
A secret ingredient takes this soup from good to “can I please have thirds.”
This one-pot wonder can be created tonight.
Ingredients
Recommended Tools
Having the right kitchen tools on hand makes preparing this Beef Orzo Soup so much easier and more enjoyable. The right equipment helps you brown the beef perfectly, chop vegetables evenly and simmer everything to delicious perfection without any kitchen stress.
- Large Soup Pot:
A heavy-bottomed pot that provides even heat distribution for browning beef and simmering the soup to perfection.
- Chef’s Knife:
Essential for chopping onions, celery and mincing garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
- Wooden Spoon:
Perfect for stirring the soup frequently and preventing the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Measuring Cups:
Helps you add the right amounts of broth, cream and orzo for the perfect soup consistency.
- Cutting Board:
Provides a stable surface for chopping vegetables and preparing all your ingredients.
- Colander:
Useful for draining excess fat from the ground beef before continuing with the recipe.
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Start by browning 1 lb of lean ground beef in a large pot. Once it’s nicely browned, drain most of the fat but leave about 1 tablespoon in the pot—we want some of that flavor!
Toss in your chopped medium onion and 2 chopped celery sticks, and let them sauté for 5-6 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing right about now!
Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of flour and add 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook this mixture for just 1 minute—don’t let the garlic burn or it’ll taste bitter!
Now for the liquid magic! Slowly pour in 4 cups of beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Once it’s smooth, add a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and the browned beef back to the pot. Bring this whole delicious mixture to a boil.
Ready for the creamy part? Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of uncooked orzo. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 12 minutes until the orzo is tender.
Don’t wander off too far—give it a stir every few minutes to keep that orzo from sticking to the bottom!
If you’re a veggie lover (and you should be!), fold in 2 cups of fresh baby spinach at the end and watch it wilt into the soup.
Finally, season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Is your soup looking a bit thick? No problem! Just splash in a little more broth to get it to your perfect consistency. Grab a spoon and dive in while it’s hot!
Pro Tips
To prevent the orzo from clumping and sticking to the bottom of the pot during cooking, stir the soup every 2-3 minutes and keep the heat at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil.
This simple habit ensures evenly cooked pasta and prevents the frustration of scraping burnt orzo from your pot.
Substitutions & Variations
This hearty Beef Orzo Soup can be easily customized with simple ingredient swaps to create entirely new flavor profiles while maintaining its comforting essence.
- Mediterranean Version: Substitute ground lamb for beef, add 1 teaspoon oregano, stir in 1/2 cup kalamata olives and top with crumbled feta cheese instead of cream
- Vegetarian Delight: Replace beef with 2 cups diced mushrooms, use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and add 1 cup diced zucchini for extra substance
- Spicy Southwest: Add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 diced bell pepper and substitute ground beef with chorizo, then garnish with avocado slices and lime wedges
- Creamy Chicken Alternative: Use ground chicken instead of beef, chicken broth in place of beef broth and add 1/4 cup fresh dill at the end
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace orzo with quinoa or rice and ensure your flour is gluten-free when thickening the soup
Leftovers & Storage Tips
After experimenting with different flavor variations, you’ll want to know how to handle any remaining soup for future meals.
This orzo soup stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Just know that the pasta continues absorbing liquid, so you’ll need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
For longer storage, freeze it without the orzo—add fresh pasta when you reheat instead!
One-Pot Comfort Meal
Beef Orzo Soup
A hearty one-pot soup combining ground beef, orzo pasta, and vegetables in a creamy tomato broth.
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 2 tbsp flour
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Brown ground beef in a pot, drain excess fat leaving 1 tbsp.
- Sauté onion and celery 5-6 min.
- Add flour and garlic, cook 1 min.
- Slowly stir in beef broth until smooth.
- Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and beef; bring to boil.
- Stir in cream and orzo, simmer 12 min until orzo is tender.
- Add spinach and season with salt and pepper.
- Stir frequently to prevent orzo sticking; add broth if too thick.
