Hearty Beef And Orzo Soup (Printable Version)
Tender beef and orzo pasta with fresh garden vegetables in a rich, savory broth for cozy homemade meals.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 large onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 3 carrots, sliced
06 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 zucchini, diced
09 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
10 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
11 - 4 cups beef broth
12 - 4 cups water
13 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
→ Pasta & Pantry
14 - 3/4 cup orzo pasta
15 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Herbs
16 - 1 tsp dried thyme
17 - 1 tsp dried oregano
18 - 2 bay leaves
19 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef pieces and sear on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans. Cook for another 3 minutes to begin softening.
04 - Return beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, beef broth, water, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until beef and vegetables are tender.
06 - Add orzo pasta and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente.
07 - Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaves before serving.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its one of those rare soups that actually fills you up without needing a side dish
- The vegetables stay tender but never mushy, even as leftovers the next day
02 -
- The soup will continue thickening as it sits because the orzo absorbs liquid, so add extra broth when reheating leftovers
- Searing the beef properly is non-negotiable—rushed searing equals rushed flavor
03 -
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels before searing—wet meat steams instead of browns
- The soup tastes better if made a day ahead, so dont stress about making it fresh before serving