Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
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Sloppy joes are one of those nostalgic dinners everyone loves, but let's be honest, they're messy! This Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet gives you all that sweet and tangy sloppy joe flavor in one pan, with no soggy buns and no meat falling out the back. It's ready in about 30 minutes, has 33 grams of protein per serving, and the cleanup is so easy.
If you love classic sloppy joes, be sure to check out my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes too!
Quick Look: Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes
👥 Servings: 6
📊 Calories: 420 per serving
💪 Protein: 33g per serving
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If you're a fan of one pan pasta dinners, try my Cheeseburger Orzo Skillet next! It's ready in 20 minutes with 28 grams of protein per serving.
Why You'll Love This Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
- One Pan: The beef, sauce and orzo all cook together in the same skillet. Fewer dishes on a busy weeknight is always a win in my book!
- High Protein: With 33 grams of protein per serving from lean ground beef and sharp cheddar, this one keeps everyone full.
- Kid-Friendly Flavor: It has the sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauce kids already love, served in a bowl you can eat with a spoon.
For another twist on a classic, try my Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes!
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Select Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: I use 93% lean (or leaner) to keep it high protein without a lot of grease to drain. Lean ground turkey works great too!
- No-salt-added tomato sauce: This keeps the sodium in check, since the ketchup, Worcestershire and broth already bring plenty of flavor.
- Ketchup + brown sugar: Just a little of each gives you that classic sweet and tangy sloppy joe taste.
- Orzo: It cooks right in the sauce and soaks up all that flavor. No extra pot of boiling water needed!
- Sharp cheddar: A little sharp cheddar goes a long way. It's bold enough that you don't need a ton.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
For another family favorite, try my Healthier Hamburger Helper. It's one of the most popular recipes on my site!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Stir every few minutes: Orzo loves to stick to the bottom of the pan, so give it a good stir every 2-3 minutes while it simmers.
➡️ Taste and adjust: Worcestershire and mustard are strong. I tested a few versions and found 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire and 2 teaspoons of mustard was the sweet spot. Add more at the end if your family likes a tangier sauce.
➡️ Add more veggies: Stir in diced zucchini or shredded carrots with the onion and pepper. It's an easy way to sneak in extra veggies!
➡️ Make it gluten free: Swap in gluten-free orzo and double check that your Worcestershire is gluten free.
➡️ Top it your way: Dill pickles and green onions are our favorite, but a drizzle of mustard or a few pickled jalapeños are delicious too.
How To Make This Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
Step 1: Drizzle a little olive oil in a large skillet and saute the diced onion and green peppers until softened. Add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add ground beef and cook and chop until beef is no longer pink. Season with paprika, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, beef broth and orzo. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 4: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top and cover for a minute or two until melted. Top with green onions. Enjoy!
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Recipe FAQs
Yes! Using 93% lean beef, no-salt-added tomato sauce and low-sodium broth keeps it balanced, with 33 grams of protein per serving. Add a side salad or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Absolutely. Lean ground turkey or chicken both work well. They're a little milder, so you may want to add an extra pinch of smoked paprika.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The orzo keeps soaking up the sauce as it sits, so add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Yes! Divide it into containers for easy lunches all week. Keep the pickles and green onions separate until you're ready to eat.
Orzo releases starch as it cooks, so it can stick if it isn't stirred. Keep the heat at a low simmer and stir every couple of minutes. If it looks dry before the orzo is tender, add a splash more broth.
Check out my meal planning app Wholesome Meals Made Easy for more 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 Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet or any other recipe on my site, please leave a rating and comment below! Thanks for visiting!
Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lbs 93% lean ground beef
- ½ yellow onion diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 15 oz can no-salt-added tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: diced pickles sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, saute the chopped onion and bell pepper until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the ground beef, breaking it up, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the garlic, paprika, salt and pepper and stir to mix.
- Stir in the tomato paste, then add the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the orzo. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes so the orzo doesn't stick, until it's tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat, sprinkle with cheddar, cover and let it sit for 2 minutes until melted.
- Optional: Finish with diced pickles and green onions for that classic sloppy joe crunch. Enjoy!
This is such an easy alternative to sloppy Joe sandwiches! I love that I don’t have to deal with a messy sandwich!