Description
Our Sloppy Joe Orzo with mini meatballs is the perfect 30 minute family-friendly dinner made with real ingredients and those classic sloppy joe flavors!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground beef
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth (more, if needed)
- 1 1/2 cup orzo
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (sub coconut aminos)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
- topping suggestions: burger pickles and/or quick pickled onions.
Instructions
- Make Mini Meatballs: Use your hands to grab small amounts of the ground beef mixture to form mini meatballs, set on a plate. Bring a large cast iron skillet or braiser to a medium-high heat & drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the mini meatballs to sear for 5 minutes, moving around occasionally and season with salt & pepper. Remove meatballs from the pan & set aside.
- Sauté: Keep the pan at a medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté the green bell pepper, onion, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Move around the pan to soften for 3-4 minutes.
- Combine: Add 3 cups chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups orzo, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and the seared meatballs to the pan. Mix to combine.
- Simmer: Cover the pan and let it simmer for 13-15 minutes or until the orzo is fully cooked. Stir occasionally and be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Option to add more splashes of broth, if needed.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the cheese on top, cover, and keep warm for 1-2 minutes or until melted.
- Serve: Enjoy with burger pickles and/or quick pickled red onions.
Notes
- Baked Mini Meatballs: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Set the rolled mini meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Dairy Free: omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Gluten Free: swap out the soy sauce for coconut aminos, omit the worcestershire sauce, and use gluten-free orzo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 339
- Sugar: 7.4 g
- Sodium: 1104 mg
- Fat: 13.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.9 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 26.2 g
- Cholesterol: 67.7 mg