Manestra (simple Greek orzo comfort food)
Manestra, a simple Greek orzo comfort food, is the perfect dish to warm your heart and fill your belly. This delightful one-pot meal combines tender orzo pasta with savory ground beef (or lamb or turkey), aromatic spices, and a rich tomato base. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal solution for busy weeknights or casual family gatherings. Each spoonful delivers a satisfying blend of flavors, from the comforting essence of cinnamon to the fresh notes of mint. Plus, this recipe offers flexibility—feel free to customize it with your favorite vegetables or proteins.
- 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 (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 is fine)
Instructions
- Sauté the diced onion in olive oil over medium heat until softened.
- Add ground beef (or alternative) and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and mint; cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in water and bring to a boil.
- Add orzo; cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve warm, topping with optional grated cheese and fresh herbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg