One Pot Cheesy Taco Orzo Skillet (formerly Cheeseburger Orzo)

**This recipe was originally called ‘Cheeseburger Orzo,’ but after tons of reader feedback (and seeing that this has more taco vibes than burger vibes), I gave it a name that better fits the flavor: Cheesy Taco Orzo!

Say goodbye to a mess in the kitchen and hello to the easiest, most delicious dinner ever – my favorite one pot pasta, the Cheesy Taco Orzo Skillet! This recipe is the ultimate lifesaver for busy days, delivering lots of flavor with minimal cleanup. Orzo pasta, seasoned ground turkey or beef, and cheesy perfection all cook in a single skillet resulting in comfort food at its finest.

INGREDIENTS

• Ground turkey or beef – I use extra lean ground turkey, but you could use beef too.
• Garlic – Minced or chopped.
• Diced tomatoes – I love fire-roasted ones in this, but regular diced tomatoes are fine too.
• Chicken broth – This is what the orzo gets cooked in. It adds flavor to the whole dish. You could also use vegetable or beef broth if you prefer.
• Orzo pasta – Orzo is a small, rice shaped pasta that works perfectly in this one pot pasta recipe.
• Shredded cheese – Cheddar, Mexican-blend and colby jack are all good on this.
• Seasonings: taco seasoning, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. (If you don’t have taco seasoning, use the following mix: ½ tbsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder.)

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce or spinach
• Fresh, diced tomatoes
• Chopped red onion
• Avocado
• Sour cream
• Cilantro

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

It all starts with cooking and seasoning your choice of lean ground turkey or beef. I use extra lean ground turkey, but that’s just my preference. Either choice works in this.

Cook the ground turkey or beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain fat, if any.

Next, add the garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and taco seasoning to the pan. Mix everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Add the can of diced tomatoes, 2 cups of chicken broth and orzo to the pan and stir. Mix well, making sure the orzo is incorporated with the liquid. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low, mix the ingredients again and cover. Cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally (at least 2-3 times) throughout the process, so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. (If you notice that the orzo is starting to stick to the pan during any of the times you stir, add more broth ½ cup at a time.)

Once the orzo is fully cooked, stir in the cheese and it’s ready to eat! Or, you could also add fresh veggies on top, like shredded lettuce, spinach, fresh tomatoes, red onions, avocado, cilantro or sour cream.

I have this one on heavy rotation because of how quick and easy it is. It’s also one of the very few dishes my pickiest eater will eat. Both our daughter’s enjoy this recipe, but without the veggies, of course lol.

RECIPE NOTES

Stir the Orzo: The biggest thing to remember on this one is to stir the orzo a couple times during the cooking process. It has a tendency to stick to the bottom of the pan once the liquid starts to absorb, so just be sure to stir it at least once or twice. If it’s sticking too much, pour another splash of broth in the pan and stir.

Easy to Customize: This recipe works great with any of your favorite veggies thrown in. Zucchini, corn, broccoli, bell peppers and onions would be great additions. You can add them to the pan, close to when the meat is fully cooked. I just push the meat to the side of the pan while the veggies cook for a minute or two. They don’t need to get too soft because they will continue cooking with the orzo.

Another way to incorporate fresh veggies is by serving them on top. My favorite toppings are fresh lettuce or spinach, tomatoes and onion. Almost like a real cheeseburger!

If you have some more picky eaters in your house though, then you can keep it super simple and skip the toppings. Without them, it’s like a yummy cheeseburger mac and cheese that both my kids enjoy.

Makes A Lot: I’m a big fan of meals that I can get two nights of dinners out of. We always have a lot of this leftover and it’s just as good the next day. Just store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If making this for just one or two people, you may want to cut the recipe in half.

If you want another delicious yet simple one pot pasta recipe, check out my One Pot Tuscan White Bean & Ground Turkey Skillet!