Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet
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When I polled my audience on what recipes they wanted most, the answers were loud and clear: quick, one pan and high protein. This cheeseburger orzo skillet checks every box. It's ready in 20 minutes, has 28 grams of protein per serving and tastes like a cheeseburger in a bowl. My kids ask for it on repeat!
If you're looking for more pasta ideas, you may love my Creamy Pumpkin Ravioli with Sausage or my Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipes! Be sure to check those out if you love this recipe.
Quick Look: Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet
- 🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: 384 per serving
- 💪 Protein: 28g per serving
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If you love the flavor in this one, make sure to try my Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes as well! The flavor is bold and the nutrition is so good with 26 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving!
Why You'll Love This Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet
- One Pan - This dish is really easy to make and only uses one pan! It's a really easy recipe for those busy weeknights.
- Serves a Crowd - This actually makes quite a bit which is great for larger families or for my leftover lovers.
- Savory Flavor - The seasonings in the beef and the creamy cheese gives all the comfort food vibes.
Looking for more healthy one pan meals? I'd recommend checking out my High Protein Chicken Enchilada Skillet, Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, and my Unstuffed Peppers. They're perfect dinners for your family that don't dirty a ton of dishes and has everyone asking for seconds!
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Select Ingredients
- Lean ground beef - You can swap this out with lean ground turkey or chicken if you prefer!
- Diced tomatoes - Petite diced tomatoes work great in this recipe, especially for picky, textural eaters.
- Cheddar cheese - you can swap this out with alternative cheese, but for the sake of the cheeseburger flavor, I really love cheddar here!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
For another one pan high protein pasta recipe, try my family friendly Creamy Bacon & Chicken Pasta! It tastes like it came straight from my favorite Italian restaurant... that's how good it is!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Make it gluten free - this dish can easily be made gluten free by swapping wheat orzo with gluten free orzo.
➡️ Stir frequently - Make sure to stir this every few minutes to keep the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
How To Make This Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet
Step 1: First brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add the seasonings to the meat and mix well.
Step 2: Add the can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth and orzo to the pan and stir.
Step 3: Cover but stir frequently, cooking until orzo is completely cooked and liquids are mostly absorbed.
Step 4: Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions. Enjoy!
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Recipe FAQs
Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat crumbles all work well. You may need to adjust cooking time slightly depending on the meat's fat content.
Cheddar is classic, but you can also use American cheese for a true "cheeseburger" flavor or Monterey Jack for extra creaminess. A blend of cheddar and mozzarella gives a great melt and texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little liquid to loosen the sauce.
Yes! Divide it into 4-6 containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Add a splash of broth before reheating, since the orzo keeps soaking up liquid as it sits.
Check out my Wholesome Meals Made Easy meal planning app for easy, healthy recipes your whole crew will actually love. It's like having a dietitian in your back pocket - quick, balanced, and family-approved!
Other Skillet Meals to Try
If you tried this Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet or any other recipe on my site, please leave a rating and comment below! Thanks for visiting!
Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb 93 percent lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Taco seasoning
- 14 ½ oz Canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cup Chicken broth
- 1 ½ cup Orzo uncooked
- 1 cup Cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain fat if needed.
- Next, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and taco seasoning to the meat and mix well.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth and orzo to the pan and stir.
- Turn heat down to medium-low, stir again and cover. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Once orzo is fully cooked, sprinkle on the cheese and stir well.
- Optional: add toppings such as fresh tomatoes, and sliced green onions.
Us too!! So glad your family loves it!
Yes that would work! I'd start with mixing in about 1/3 of a cup or so and see how liquid-y it looks. Add more as needed!
If my picky eaters don’t do the diced tomatoes, can I use tomato sauce? We have some real texture inspectors over here!
My kids’ favorite! We make this every couple weeks, and they always finish every last bite! So good and so simple.
Amazing and love to hear it! It's a staple for our dinners as well!
I made this last night and the whole family loved it! It's gonna be a new staple in our house.
This was so simple & easy but with a big payoff in flavor and enjoyment. We topped ours with some chopped lettuce and pickles for a full on burger experience that left clean plates all around.
I loved this recipe. I made it at the weekend as part of my meal prep for the week! Thank you.
One pan? Check! 30 minutes? Check! Nutritious and delicious? Check check! This has been on repeat lately for those busy sports nights!
Whole family dug into this!