Description
Manestra is a classic Greek dish featuring orzo pasta cooked in a rich tomato sauce with ground beef, herbs, and a touch of cinnamon, creating a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Grated Parmesan or feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Stir in tomato sauce, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add orzo pasta and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and sprinkle with cheese if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and use mushrooms or lentils.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: manestra, Greek orzo, ground beef orzo, Greek pasta dish, one-pot meal