Meatballs Orzo

Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with this Meatballs Orzo recipe—a delightful combination of juicy, homemade meatballs, tender orzo pasta, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Perfectly seasoned with fresh parsley, oregano, and garlic, the meatballs are browned to perfection before simmering in a savory blend of crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, and heavy cream. The orzo pasta, cooked to al dente, soaks up the flavorful sauce, making every bite irresistible. Garnished with fresh basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan, this dish is ideal for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests. With just 20 minutes of prep and a total cooking time of 30 minutes, this recipe delivers big, hearty flavors in no time, easily serving four hungry hearts.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef (or ground pork/beef blend)
• 75 grams breadcrumbs
• 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 500 milliliters chicken stock
• 250 grams orzo pasta
• 100 milliliters heavy cream
• 5 fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

Step 2

Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Set them aside on a plate.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through. Remove meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and pour in the canned crushed tomatoes. Stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Add the chicken stock to the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let them simmer in the tomato sauce for 10–12 minutes, or until cooked through.

Step 7

Meanwhile, in a medium pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are fully cooked, stir the heavy cream into the tomato sauce and simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 9

Serve the meatballs and sauce over a bed of cooked orzo. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Enjoy your hearty and delicious Meatballs Orzo!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1990.5 grams (1990.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3424

Total Fat 187.00g	240%
Saturated Fat 72.60g	363%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 731mg	244%
Sodium 5572mg	242%
Total Carbohydrate 275.90g	100%
Dietary Fiber 24.30g	87%
Total Sugars 28.10g
Protein 168.40g	337%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 896mg	69%
Iron 29mg	162%
Potassium 2767mg	59%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.6%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 31.9%