Hearty Beef Orzo Fresh Vegetables (Printable)
Comforting soup featuring tender beef, orzo, and fresh garden vegetables in a rich, savory broth.
# What You'll 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 in 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 Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef stew meat and sear on all sides until browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove beef from pot and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced red bell pepper, diced zucchini, and trimmed green beans. Cook for an additional 3 minutes to begin softening the vegetables.
04 - Return browned beef to the pot. Add diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, beef broth, water, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients and dissolve tomato paste.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer for 30 minutes, or until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
06 - Add orzo pasta to the simmering soup. Continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until orzo is al dente.
07 - Stir fresh spinach leaves into the hot soup and cook for about 2 minutes until just wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.
08 - Ladle hot soup into individual bowls. Garnish each serving with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The orzo pasta makes every spoonful feel substantial and satisfying
- It transforms whatever vegetables you have into something elegant and comforting
02 -
- The orzo continues absorbing liquid as it sits so the soup will thicken overnight in the refrigerator
- Adding the spinach at the very end keeps it bright green instead of sad and brownish
03 -
- Pat the beef completely dry before searing or it will steam instead of brown
- Let the soup cool completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth