Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
Chili Spiced Beef Orzo is a delicious and satisfying, one-pot meal perfect for any occasion!
Let’s chat about chili.
Not to toot my own horn, but I make a mean chili. Dare I say award-winning?
There are a million different ways you can make homemade chili, but I find the secret to making it an 11/10 is the spices. Like I mentioned, my spice mixture is not to be missed. The secret to making a killer spice mix for chili is fennel seed. Mix it with chili powder, cumin, paprika and a few other suspects and you’ll have bragging rights all tailgate season long.
Don’t believe me? Try these killer chili recipes: Easy Chili Stuffed Peppers, Easy Chicken & Chorizo Chili, and Cajun Chili Stroganoff
On with the show. This Chili Spiced Beef Orzo is one for the books. Takes all the best chili flavors and combines them into a dish with ground beef and my favorite pasta, orzo. Grab a spoon and let’s dive in!
Ingredients Used to Make Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
When it comes to making chili-inspired dishes there are no rules. For this dish you will need the following ingredients to be successful!
- Orzo – You can you use any small shaped pasta or even cooked rice
- Ground beef – Chicken, turkey, lamb or chorizo would be an excellent subsitute
- Yellow onion
- Green pepper
- Garlic
- Chili spices – Chili powder, cumin, paprika, celery seed
- Stewed tomatoes
- Shredded Cheese
How to Make Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
- Next, bring a pot of water to a boil and add in the orzo. Cook the orzo according to package instructions and then drain. Set aside.
- Preheat a large 10-inch skillet to medium-high heat. Add a splash of olive oil to the skillet followed by the ground beef. Cook the beef until no longer pink about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the beef from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet as the ground beef add a little bit more of olive oil, onion, green pepper and garlic. Saute the veggies until softened about 5 minutes. Next, add the ground beef back in followed by the spices, kosher salt, and ground pepper. Cook for about a minute or two.
- Stir in the stewed tomatoes (including juices) and using a spoon break up the tomatoes. Add in the orzo and give everything a big stir. Next, sprinkle the top with shredded cheese and place the skillet in the oven to allow the cheese to melt about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and garnish.
Variations of Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
There’s not much I would change about this flavor packed dish. However, if you want a few variations of ways to enjoy it, whether adding veggies, a different protein, or turning it into a soup. You can’t go wrong!
Chili Beef Orzo Soup
- Ingredients: Ground beef, orzo, chili powder, cumin, garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, beef broth, kidney beans, and bell peppers.
- Method: Prepare it as a hearty soup by increasing the beef broth and adding kidney beans and bell peppers for extra texture.
Chili Spiced Beef Orzo with Zucchini
- Ingredients: Ground beef, orzo, chili powder, cumin, garlic, onions, beef broth, zucchini, diced tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
- Method: Add diced zucchini for a lighter, vegetable-forward version, finishing with a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
Spicy Chili Beef Orzo with Chorizo
- Ingredients: Ground beef, spicy chorizo sausage, orzo, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and bell peppers.
- Method: Combine ground beef with spicy chorizo to enhance the heat and flavor of the dish. Sauté with chili spices, then add orzo and broth to simmer until cooked.
Creamy Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
- Ingredients: Ground beef, orzo pasta, chili powder, paprika, garlic, onions, beef broth, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and spinach.
- Method: Follow the basic process of browning the beef with spices, but stir in heavy cream and cheese for a rich, creamy texture. Add spinach for a bit of greenery.
Proper Storing
Storing in the Refrigerator
- Allow the chili spiced beef orzo to cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer the orzo to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
- When reheating, you can add a splash of water or broth to prevent the orzo from drying out. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop until thoroughly heated.
Freezing
- You can store the orzo for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Chili Spiced Beef Orzo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Orzo
- 1 to 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1.5 tsp Celery seed
- 1.5 tsp Paprika
- 1.5 tsp Cumin
- 1.5 tsp Kosher salt
- 1.5 tsp Ground pepper
- 1 15oz Canned stewed tomatoes
- 1 cup Shredded Mexican cheese
- Garnish: jalapeno slices, cilantro, sour cream, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
- Next, bring a pot of water to a boil and add in the orzo. Cook the orzo according to package instructions and then drain. Set aside.
- Preheat a large 10-inch skillet to medium-high heat. Add a splash of olive oil to the skillet followed by the ground beef. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink for about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the beef from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet as the ground beef add a little bit more olive oil, onion, green pepper and garlic. Saute the veggies until softened for about 5 minutes. Next, add the ground beef back in followed by the spices, kosher salt, and ground pepper. Cook for about a minute or two.
- Stir in the stewed tomatoes (including juices) and using a spoon break up the tomatoes. Add in the orzo and give everything a big stir. Next, sprinkle the top with shredded cheese and place the skillet in the oven to allow the cheese to melt for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish.
