Description
This Meatball Parm Orzo recipe combines tender homemade meatballs, creamy Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta in a rich marinara sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot dish delivers comforting Italian flavors with minimal cleanup and is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup water or broth
Cheese and Garnish
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Combine ground meat with minced garlic, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form into small, uniform meatballs. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs until they develop a crispy, golden exterior. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Orzo: In the same skillet, add orzo pasta and toast lightly for about 1 minute to enhance the nutty flavor. Pour in marinara sauce and water or broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Combine Meatballs and Orzo: Nestle the browned meatballs into the orzo and sauce mixture. Cover the skillet and let simmer gently until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the orzo is tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover again and cook just until the cheese melts and turns bubbly and golden, about 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Keep meatballs uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- Lightly toasting orzo before cooking enhances its flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and flavor.
- Simmer gently to prevent the orzo from becoming mushy.
- Let the dish rest covered for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: meatball parm orzo, Italian comfort food, quick dinner, one-pot meal, cheesy pasta, homemade meatballs
