Description
Saucy Italian Meatballs + Parmesan Orzo is the BEST bowl of comfort food! Juicy and delicious meatballs in red sauce with creamy orzo!
Ingredients
Scale
Saucy Italian Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 heaping teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, grated
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15oz can diced tomatoes
Parmesan Orzo
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cup orzo
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
- reserved pasta water
Toppings:
- additional grated parmesan cheese
- dollop of basil pesto
- chopped fresh basil
- fresh oregano leaves
- fresh parsley
- grilled bread
Instructions
Saucy Italian Meatballs
- Combine ground beef, ground pork, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, grated onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Take approx. 2 tablespoons of the meatball mixture at a time and form into a meatball. Set aside on a plate until all the meatballs are formed.
- Bring a 12 inch cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add butter and let melt; swirl to coat the pan. Add meatballs and sear on all sides. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Cover and let simmer 15 minutes.
Parmesan Orzo
- Meanwhile, add chicken broth and water to a medium-saucepan.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Add orzo and let simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes or until cooked al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Drain and return orzo to the pan but remove from heat.
- Add butter, salt, pepper, a little lemon zest and cheese. Gently stir to combine – the cheese will take a minute to fully melt. Add splashes of the reserved pasta water to thin out and make the consistency more creamy.
- Taste and add any additional salt, pepper, or lemon zest.
Build Your Bowl
- Place your desired amount of Parmesan Orzo in each bowl along with some Italian Meatballs and plenty of sauce (when that sauce combines with the creamy Parmesan Orzo … it’s sooo good)! Garnish with additional grated parmesan cheese, maybe a dollop of basil pesto or just some fresh basil leaves! Serve with Grilled Bread for the ultimate dinner!
Notes
- Parmesan Orzo: of course feel free to skip the Parmesan Orzo if you need to and just serve with pasta (regular or gluten-free) – you could also serve with some zoodles if you wanted!
- Serving: love serving this with some Air Fryer Broccolini, Steamed Broccoli or Grilled Asparagus!
- Storage: store leftover meatballs and orzo separately (otherwise the orzo will soak up the sauce and get mushy) – store both in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 857
- Sugar: 35.4 g
- Sodium: 4153.6 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Carbohydrates: 81.7 g
- Protein: 51.7 g
- Cholesterol: 165.4 mg