One-Pan Creamy Meatballs with Orzo and Parmesan

If there’s one dinner that’s guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy, it’s a bowl of creamy orzo loaded with juicy meatballs and melted Parmesan. This dish is comfort food at its best—hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor, but still simple enough for a weeknight.

This recipe starts with soft, flavorful meatballs made from ground beef, onion, garlic, and thyme. They’re gently pan-fried until golden, then set aside while the orzo gets toasted in the same pan—soaking up all those rich, savory bits left behind. A splash of cream and a handful of Parmesan bring it all together into a silky, cheesy pasta that hugs every bite of meatball.

The best part? It all comes together in one pan.

Creamy meatballs and orzo cooked in one-pan, served with chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 300g ground beef

• 1 medium onion, grated

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 egg

• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs

• Salt, pepper and thyme to taste

For the rest:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3/4 cup orzo

• 1.5 cups hot water or low-sodium beef broth

• 200ml heavy cream

• 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Start by making the meatballs. In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and thyme. Be careful not to overmix—just combine everything until it holds together. Form into small meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until golden on all sides and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, transfer them to a plate but don’t clean the pan—you’ll want those browned bits for flavor.

Add the orzo straight into the same pan and toast it for a minute or two. Pour in your hot water or broth, and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.

Lower the heat and stir in the cream. Let it simmer gently for a couple of minutes, then add the Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Gently return the meatballs to the pan and toss everything together. Let it all warm through for another minute or two. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve warm, topped with parsley and a little extra Parmesan.

Happy cooking!