Ground Beef Orzo (Greek Manestra Recipe)

Looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe? Look no further than this one pot Ground Beef Orzo – all you need is a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes to make a delicious and satisfying meal full of comfort.

I seem to unconsciously gravitate towards the meals of my Greek childhood whenever I feel the need for comfort. The combination of carbs and nostalgia is like a warm hug, especially when I feel a little down or under the weather.

It’s no wonder then that Manestra (Μανέστρα) is on of my favorite quick meals – it manages to pack comfort and flavor into a simple dish of ground beef and orzo pasta.

What’s Manestra?

Greek Manestra is a type of soup or stew made with orzo (kritharaki) and tomatoes. The basic recipe is very simple but there are lots of variations that include meat or chicken. It is a very quick, easy and frugal meal that manages to also be hugely delicious and incredibly satisfying.

Ground Beef Orzo Ingredients

The list of ingredients is short with some surprising entries: mint, cinnamon and allspice. Trust me when I say this somewhat unusual combination of herbs and spices brings a unique Greek flavor to this otherwise super-simple recipe.

• Olive oil and butter.
• Onions and minced garlic.
• Ground allspice, cinnamon stick, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
• Fresh mint, parsley and bay leaf.
• Ground beef (beef mince) – I used lean ground beef.
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth (I used a Knorr stockpot).
• Orzo pasta.
• Grated cheese – Greek Kefalotyri if you can find it or grated Parmesan.

How to Make Ground Beef Orzo

↓ For the full ingredients and detailed method, jump to the recipe card.

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the diced onion, spices and seasoning and cook, stirring, for about ten minutes until softened and translucent.

1. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant (this is usually where my husband walks into the kitchen enticed by the smell). Add the ground beef and break it up with your spoon, cooking until it is nicely browned.

1. Add the tomato paste, half of the chopped parsley and mint and stir well. Pour in the chicken broth, add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and bring to a simmer.

1. Add in the orzo and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking. If the pan feels dry add a splash of hot water or extra chicken broth.

1. Discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Have a little taste to check the seasoning and adjust to your taste. Garnish with the remaining herbs. Serve with as much freshly grated Parmesan as you can handle! 🙂

Recipe Notes

• Orzo absorbs a lot of liquid so if you would like to serve this as more of a soup-type meal you will need to add extra chicken broth.
• Replace the ground beef with ground turkey or even a plant-based ground meat alternative.
• Store in the fridge for up to three days, adding extra water when reheating. This recipe is not suitable for freezing.

Orzo Lover? Take a Look at These Popular Recipes!

• Beef Giouvetsi (Greek Beef Stew with Orzo)
• Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup
• Creamy Spinach Orzo
• Cajun Chicken Orzo
• One Pot Swedish Meatballs with Orzo

If you loved my Manestra recipe, please give it a star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #Nusde – don’t forget to tag me @supergolden88