Beef & Orzo Mediterranean Style

• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• lean ground beef↗1 lb
• onion, finely chopped↗1
• garlic cloves, minced↗2 -4
• (14 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes↗1
• beef broth↗1 1⁄2 cups
• minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano1 teaspoon
• pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• dried orzo pasta (1 cup)↗8 ounces
• (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed1
• grated parmesan cheese1⁄2 - 3⁄4 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Sprinkle salt into a 10 to 12 inch frying pan over medium-high heat. Crumble beef into pan and cook, stirring often, until meat begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, stir in onion, and continue to cook, stirring, until onion is soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Spoon off and discard excess fat.

2. 2

   Add garlic, tomatoes (break them up with a spoon) and their liquid, broth, oregano, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil then stir in pasta. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until pasta is tender to bite, 10 to 12 minutes.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, squeeze as much liquid as possible from spinach. Stir spinach into pasta mixture just until heated through. Serve with cheese to add to taste.