Manestra (simple Greek orzo comfort food)
Discover the warmth and comfort of Manestra, a delightful Greek orzo dish that brings together savory ground meat, aromatic spices, and tender pasta in just about 30 minutes. This one-pot meal is not only quick and easy to prepare, but it also offers a family-friendly flavor that appeals to all ages. With its rich texture and comforting aromas of cinnamon and mint, Manestra is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings. Plus, it makes fantastic leftovers for lunch the next day! Dive into this heartwarming dish and enjoy the delightful experience it brings to your table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 1 lb. ground beef (or lamb or turkey)
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 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 is fine)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef (or lamb/turkey) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and spearmint. Cook for 2 minutes to enhance flavors.
- Pour in water and bring to a boil.
- Add orzo while stirring gently. Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the orzo is cooked through.
- Serve hot with optional toppings like grated Romano cheese or fresh herbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg