Manestra: Greek Orzo Comfort Food with Ground Beef and Mint Recipe
Manestra is a simple and comforting Greek dish featuring orzo pasta cooked with ground meat, tomato paste, and aromatic spices like cinnamon and spearmint. This hearty one-pot meal combines savory flavors and tender orzo, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a satisfying lunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- Heat Olive Oil and Sauté Onion: In a large heavy pot like a Dutch oven, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened and starting to brown.
- Brown the Ground Meat: Add 1 lb. ground beef to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until fully browned.
- Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in 6 oz. tomato paste, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper to taste, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 heaping teaspoon dried spearmint. Cook for about 2 minutes until the tomato paste starts to brown and flavors meld.
- Add Water and Bring to Boil: Pour in 4 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the Orzo: Stir in 1 cup orzo, cover the pot, and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for approximately 20 minutes until the orzo is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Plate the manestra and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with grated Romano cheese, fresh mint or parsley, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for added flavor.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or omit cheese toppings.
- Use fresh chopped mint if available for a more vibrant flavor.
- Simmering the orzo on a back burner helps prevent sticking and burning.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if using salted cheese as a topping.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Manestra, Greek orzo recipe, comfort food, ground beef and orzo, Mediterranean pasta dish, one-pot meal
