Description
Ground Beef Orzo, also known as Greek Manestra, is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring tender orzo pasta simmered with lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs in a savory tomato broth. This quick and satisfying dish captures the essence of Greek home cooking and is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sweet red pepper flakes (or sweet paprika)
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 3 tbsp concentrated tomato paste
- 4 cups (980ml) chicken broth, plus extra if needed
- 1½ cups (300g) orzo
- ½ cinnamon stick (or large pinch ground cinnamon)
- 1 bay leaf
Herbs & Garnish
- 4 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
- Grated Parmesan, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, salt, black pepper, sweet red pepper flakes, and ground allspice. Cook, stirring frequently, for about ten minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Brown Beef: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Then add the lean ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned evenly and no longer pink.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Herbs: Mix in the concentrated tomato paste along with half of the finely chopped parsley and mint. Stir everything well to combine all flavors.
- Add Broth and Spices: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the simmering liquid. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom. Add extra broth if the mixture becomes too dry before the orzo is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Garnish the dish with the remaining parsley and mint. Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste.
Notes
- Adjust the seasoning with extra salt or pepper after cooking if needed.
- If you don't have a cinnamon stick, use a pinch of ground cinnamon for similar flavor.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based meat alternative and use vegetable broth.
- Ensure to stir frequently during orzo cooking to avoid sticking and burning on the pan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
