Description
A hearty Greek stew with tender braised beef and buttery orzo pasta, cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups hot water or beef broth, as needed
- Grated Kefalotyri cheese or Parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear the beef until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, lower the heat and cook the onion for 8–10 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and allspice. Stir in sugar if needed.
- Return the beef and pour in beef broth, bringing to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2–3 hours until tender. Remove beef, discard cinnamon stick and bay leaves, adjust seasoning.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread orzo in a baking dish, arrange beef on top, and ladle sauce over both, ensuring orzo is covered with ½ to 1 inch of liquid. Bake covered for 25–30 minutes, then remove foil and stir, baking uncovered for another 15–25 minutes until orzo is al dente.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before serving with grated cheese and parsley.
Notes
Browning the meat enhances flavor; use low-and-slow braising for the best results. For variations, lamb can be used instead of beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Greek, Beef Stew, Orzo, Comfort Food, Mediterranean