Sloppy Joe Orzo

The children in my care absolutely loved this twist on sloppy joes that I found on the delish.com web site.  The kids enjoy the sauce and ground beef mixture that makes sloppy joes, with the pasta shape they love the most.

You Will Need:

4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
12 oz. orzo (about 2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 cups packed baby spinach (about 3 oz)

What to Do:

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat, heat 2 Tbsp. oil. Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through and browned, about 10 minutes. Scrape beef into a colander set over a bowl and let excess fat drain. 
2. In the same pot over medium-high heat, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add orzo and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until orzo is lightly toasted and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until liquid is mostly absorbed and orzo is tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
4. Return beef to pot and add spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted and beef is warmed through, about 2 minutes more; season with salt and pepper, if needed.

References:

Recipe by delish.com
Photo by Stephanie Felzenberg