Description
Manestra (Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef) is a flavorful and comforting Greek dish where orzo pasta is cooked with ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, seasoned with herbs like oregano and cinnamon. The dish is hearty, easy to make, and perfect for a family dinner. Often served with a sprinkle of feta or a drizzle of olive oil, this dish is both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground lamb for a more traditional flavor)
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Grated feta cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the pan, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Cook for about 5–6 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the orzo to the pan and stir to combine. Cover the pan and let the orzo cook in the sauce for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the orzo is fully cooked, remove the pan from heat. If the mixture looks too thick, add a little extra broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve the Manestra hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of feta cheese if desired. Enjoy with a side of crusty bread or a fresh Greek salad.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use ground lamb instead of beef.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- This dish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little water or broth if needed.
- If you don’t have orzo, you can substitute with small pasta shapes like ditalini or farfalle, but orzo is traditional in this dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg