Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet
This high protein Sloppy Joe Orzo Skillet has all the sweet and tangy flavor of classic sloppy joes, made in one pan in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner with 33g of protein per serving!
Servings: 6
Calories: 420kcal
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!
Notes
Stir often: Orzo can stick to the bottom of the pan, so stir every 2–3 minutes while it simmers. If it looks dry before the orzo is tender, add a splash more broth.
Adjust the tang: Worcestershire and mustard are strong. Start with the amounts listed, then taste and add more at the end if you like a tangier sauce.
Swap the protein: Lean ground turkey or chicken work well in place of beef.
Gluten free: Use gluten-free orzo and a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating, since the orzo keeps soaking up the sauce.
Nutrition: Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
Serving: 1svg | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 848mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g
