Manestra: Greek Orzo Comfort Food Recipe

Introduction

Manestra is a comforting and simple Greek dish featuring orzo pasta cooked with ground meat and savory tomato paste. This hearty meal is flavored with hints of cinnamon and mint, making it a delicious and satisfying choice for any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 lb. ground beef (or lamb or turkey)
• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more if needed)
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 heaping teaspoon dried spearmint (or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint)
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup orzo (whole wheat or regular)
• Grated romano cheese, fresh chopped mint or parsley, and/or extra-virgin olive oil, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and dried spearmint until the meat is well coated. Cook for about two minutes until the tomato paste begins to brown.
3. Step 3: Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Step 4: Add the orzo, stir to combine, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 20 minutes. Cooking on a back burner can help prevent sticking.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, topped with grated romano cheese, fresh chopped mint or parsley, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or omit the meat for a vegetarian option, adding mushrooms or lentils instead.
• Using fresh mint instead of dried spearmint brightens the flavor.
• Whole wheat orzo adds a nutty taste and extra fiber without altering the dish much.
• If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while cooking the onions.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the mixture. This dish does not freeze well due to the orzo texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta instead of orzo?

Orzo is preferred for its small size and ability to absorb flavors, but small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or Israeli couscous can be substituted if needed.

Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the meat and increase the tomato paste slightly. You can also add sautéed mushrooms or cooked lentils to keep the dish hearty and flavorful.

Manestra: Greek Orzo Comfort Food Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 82 reviews

Manestra is a comforting and simple Greek orzo dish featuring ground beef simmered in a tomato paste and aromatic spices, cooked together with orzo pasta until tender. This hearty one-pot meal is perfect for a cozy dinner and can be served with grated Romano cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 lb. ground beef (or lamb or turkey)
• 6 oz. tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more if needed)
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 heaping teaspoon dried spearmint (or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint)
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup orzo (whole wheat or regular)

For Serving (Optional)

• Grated Romano cheese
• Fresh chopped mint or parsley
• Extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Sauté onions: In a large heavy pot with a lid, such as a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes.
2. Brown the meat: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and spices: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and dried spearmint. Cook the mixture until the tomato paste begins to brown slightly, about 2 minutes, coating the meat evenly.
4. Add water and bring to boil: Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Cook orzo: Add the orzo to the pot, stir well, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked through and tender, approximately 20 minutes. Use a low heat or back burner to prevent sticking.
6. Serve: Spoon the manestra into bowls and serve with optional grated Romano cheese, fresh chopped mint or parsley, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil if desired.

Notes

• Using the back burner can help prevent the orzo from sticking to the pot.
• Ground lamb or turkey can substitute for beef based on preference.
• Fresh mint can replace dried spearmint for a brighter herb flavor.
• This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
• Adjust salt to taste, especially if using salted cheese as topping.

Keywords: Manestra, Greek orzo, ground beef comfort food, tomato paste, one pot meal, Mediterranean pasta