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This orzo bolognese is a one-pan meal made with gluten-free orzo, ground beef, and a delicious bolognese sauce! It’s easy to make paleo and AIP.

A bowl of orzo bolognes.

What is Orzo Bolognese?

Bolognese sauce is a rich, hearty meat-based sauce that’s often made with beef, and vegetables like onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and herbs like basil and parsley. Typically bolognese is served with something like spaghetti or pappardelle, but this take on bolognese is a full one-pan meal with the orzo cooked into the sauce!

This orzo bolognese isn’t as traditional as your typical bolognese, but it still has all of the flavors you know and love. Plus, it’s made in just one pan with the orzo cooked in the sauce, which also thickens the sauce even more. It’s the perfect weeknight meal if you love pasta, but want to mix it up a bit!

The Ingredients for Orzo Bolongese

  • Olive Oil.
  • Onion, Garlic, Carrots, and Celery.
  • Ground Beef. I always like to buy organic grass-fed ground beef to avoid any harmful additives.
  • Salt and Pepper. You can omit the pepper to keep it AIP.
  • Tomato Sauce.  You can also substitute nomato sauce for AIP.
  • Beef Broth. I like the brand Kettle and Fire, but you can also use homemade broth.
  • Orzo. I like this one from Jovial!
  • Oregano, Dried Basil, and Parsley.

How to make Orzo Bolognese

  • Saute the vegetable. Using a large, deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until the onion is lightly translucent. Add the carrot and celery and saute for 2-3 minutes to lightly soften.
  • Add ground beef. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper and crumble until browned.
  • Combine the rest of the ingredients. Pour in the sauce, broth, orzo, oregano, and basil.
  • Bring to a low boil and simmer. Reduce to a medium-low simmer and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir often to prevent the orzo from sticking.
  • Serve! Once cooked, remove from the heat and serve topped with chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

A pot of orzo bolognese.

Can you make this with nomato sauce instead to make it nightshade-free?

You can use nomato sauce instead! However, just know that it won’t be the same color, as the color tends to run when nomato sauce is cooked twice.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time? How do you store and reheat it?

You can store this recipe for 2-3 days in the fridge. It’s best to reheat it on the stovetop.

Can you add other vegetables to this dish?

This dish would also taste great with mushrooms and spinach if you want to add more vegetables!

A bowl of orzo bolognese with a fork in it.

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Orzo Bolognese (Gluten-free)

  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup carrots, diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/ 4 tsp pepper to taste (omit pepper for AIP)
  • 2 cups tomato sauce (sub nomato sauce for AIP, see notes)
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Using a large, deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until the onion is lightly translucent. Add the carrot and celery and saute for 2-3 minutes to lightly soften.
  2. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper and crumble until browned.
  3. Pour in the sauce, broth, orzo, oregano, and basil. Stir to combine and bring to a low boil. Reduce to a medium-low simmer and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir often to prevent the orzo from sticking.
  4. Once cooked, remove from the heat and serve topped with chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Nomato sauce will work for this dish, though it will make a much less red sauce in color.

All nutrition facts are estimated and will vary.

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stove Top

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 321
  • Fat: 7.9g
  • Carbohydrates: 31.1g
  • Fiber: 4.4g
  • Protein: 31.8g

Keywords: bolognese, orzo bologense