Most people’s comfort food is some kind of casserole, mac’n’cheese, or other simple American fare.
Manestra is mine.
Comfort food really is what you grow up eating, and my mom had lots of delicious, simple Greek recipes that I still make when I want something warm, comforting, and non-vegetable based (because what comfort food is made of vegetables?) :-)
This recipe is simple, and I sometimes refer to it as “Greek Chop Suey” – Ground beef or turkey (or lamb, if you want to get fancy) is cooked with onions in a tomato-based broth with orzo, with mint and cinnamon added for a unique Greek flavor.
I know what you are thinking.
Mint and cinnamon?
Really?
Trust me, it works.
Cinnamon is added to a lot of meat-based Greek recipes (have you ever had Cincinnati-style chili? Chili with cinnamon added to it, first made by Greek immigrants in the area). The mint is super unique but subtle and gives the whole thing a great flavor.
You will just have to trust me and go make it for yourself :-)
Start by browning 1 pound of ground beef or turkey with one large diced onion. I used ground turkey for this one- both are delicious!
Once the meat is cooked through, add 1 small can of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, and the spices.
There isn’t a lot of cinnamon in this dish- only 1/8 teaspoon. For the mint, I use dried spearmint
leaves (I have never tried fresh, but I have a mind to start an herb garden in the spring and will try it later for sure!).
Get a heaping teaspoon of the mint, and put it in the palm of your hand.
Crush the dried leaves when you add it to the pot by rubbing it between your hands as you add it to maximize the flavor of the mint. This part is fun- it kind of feels like I’m making a potion and I actually live in Hogwarts, and I should be saying some kind of spell while adding it.
Stir to coat the meat in the tomato and spice mixture, and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, add 1 cup regular or whole wheat orzo (you can find this at Whole Foods or in bulk on Amazon), stir, and simmer on low, covered, until cooked, stirring occasionally (about 20 minutes).
Serve with Romano or parmesan cheese on top. Get second helpings (and thirds) :-)
Here’s the printable recipe for Manestra!
Manestra (simple Greek orzo comfort food)
Ingredients
- 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
- grated romano cheese, fresh chopped mint or parsley, and/or extra-virgin olive oil, for serving optional
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot with a lid, such as a Dutch oven, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced 1 large onion and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the 1 lb. ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking apart as it cooks with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
- Add the 6 oz. tomato paste, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper to taste, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 heaping teaspoon dried spearmint.
- Stir to coat the meat in the tomato paste and spices and cook until tomato paste begins to brown, about two minutes.
- Add the 4 cups water; bring to a boil.
- Add 1 cup orzo; stir, cover, and simmer on low, stirring occasionally, until orzo is cooked (approximately 20 minutes). I recommend doing this on the back burner, which isn't as hot, to prevent the orzo from sticking to the pot too much.
- Serve with grated romano cheese, fresh chopped mint or parsley, and/or extra-virgin olive oil, for serving, if desired.
Notes
- I recommend using lean ground beef for this. If you use a fattier kind, or with ground lamb, it may be greasy, so I recommend using a spoon to scoop out and discard some of the fat after browning the meat.
- If you use ground turkey, I recommend adding 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the pan when you cook it, since turkey is so lean.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
melly
Easy and delicious. I’m so glad I came across this recipe. Thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Helle
It tastes really good and it’s easy to make… It actually tastes even better the next day.
I have traveled a lot in Greece and tasted a lot of their authentic food.. This dish gives me fond memories of that.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Linda
FANTASTIC!!! I loved it! and so quick and easy to make. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Pat
Can you freeze this dish?
Thanks, Pat
Elizabeth Lindemann
Pasta doesn’t freeze super well – I don’t think this would hold up well in the freezer.
Kristen
This sounds like pastitsio without the béchamel sauce, can’t wait to try!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yes, it has a lot of similar flavor from the meat and cinnamon and tomato! This one also has similar flavors, heavier on the cinnamon like pastitsio (no tomato though, but you can always add some tomato sauce to the beef): https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/greek-spaghetti-browned-butter-ground-beef-cinnamon/ Hope you like it!
Shelby
I made this ages ago and am excited to be revisiting. I see the onion in the ingredients but I don’t see it listed in the process. Where do you suggest this go in the steps?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hi! I just double checked and it is in the instructions, where it says to “brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot.” But I can see how this can be easily missed! And really, the onions should be cooked before the beef goes in. I’m going to adjust the recipe instructions now. Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!
Emily
Absolutely fantastic. Was so pleasantly surprised by how much flavor was in the dish. I added a few extra spices and used gluten free orzo pasta from Barilla. 10/10!!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! And great to know it worked well with GF orzo!
Emily
Wow!!! How delicious!! Added a few extra spices based on person preference. 10/10 recipe – weeknight easy, pantry staples, and healthy!!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Jana
Anybody tried using an instant pot for this? I’m assuming it would just need reduction in water. Not sure of the time under pressure though after adding orzo and water.
Elizabeth Lindemann
I haven’t used an instant pot for this, but this might be a good place to get started! https://iheartvegetables.com/instant-pot-orzo/
Kim
Very tasty and easy to prepare. The cinnamon note won my picky eaters. Thank you for sharing.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you and your family liked it!
Ellen
I’d love to try this recipe. In the U.S., tomato paste typically comes ia a 6 ounce can or 12 ounce can, or in a 4 to5 ounce tube. This makes me wonder if you use tomato sauce, which comes in 8 ounce cans. I clicked on the words “tomato paste” in the recipe and it took me to pinto beans on Amazon. I’m confused! Can you help?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Goodness, thank you for letting me know the link brought you to pinto beans instead of tomato paste! I went ahead and fixed it. To answer your question, I use a 6-oz can of tomato paste. Tomato paste has a much more concentrated tomato flavor than tomato sauce, as well as less liquid. I do recommend using tomato paste, not sauce. The ingredients should say 6 oz, not 8 – so I went ahead and fixed that too. Hope that helps, and thanks again for asking this question!
Lynnette
I made a vegetarian version by using a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, and Impossible “beef”. I agree with the comments about making sure to allow the tomato paste to brown slightly. You want to allow those flavors to blend before adding water. This is such a lovely dish!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Victoria
Delicious! Only thing I did differently was use a 6 ounce can of tomato paste instead of 8 ounces because that’s what I had and it was still awesome. Super easy to make and very cozy and comforting. Would definitely make it again!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! It’s definitely a favorite in our house!
Karen Kornichuk
My husband’s parents loved this. They always made Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food when my husband was growing up, so it was great to make something they loved. Thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Bilal Khan
😋🤤
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Courtney Fulton
This was amazing. I needed quick comfort food!!! Soooo delicious.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Andrea
I love this recipe! Comes out as good as when my yaiya made it!
YUMMY!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Beth
I love manestra! My yiayia and mom always made it from the lamb drippings cooked on Easter. I’ll be doing that this Sunday! I will try this one next time. Kalo Pascha! ✝️ 🇬🇷
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hope it works well for you! Kalo Pascha!
Melissa
Any recommendations for side dishes?
Elizabeth Lindemann
I love it with a simple Greek salad! https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/greek-salad/
Hannah
I love this! It’s super easy and delicious. Second time around after reading the comments I thought I’d add garlic, but I really love the subtle flavor as is so I didn’t. I think the secret is really cooking the tomato paste until it gets rich and dark. Perfect cold weather dish!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! Yes, great point about the tomato paste.
Dawn
Easy and quick to prepare. If pasta can be considered light, this comfort meal is delicious without feeling too heavy. Love the flavor of cinnamon and mint, not overpowering. Absolutely the best comfort meal anytime… a go to favorite!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!