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The BEST Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef

by Annmarie

Manestra, is a traditional Greek dish very similar to risotto. The BEST simple Greek comfort food made with orzo, ground beef (or lamb or turkey), onions, and tomato with mint and cinnamon. Ready in just 30 minutes, this manestra recipe makes a perfect lunch or even a light dinner.

Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef

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Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef

Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef

Manestra, is a traditional Greek dish very similar to risotto. The BEST simple Greek comfort food made with orzo, ground beef (or lamb or turkey), onions, and tomato with mint and cinnamon. Ready in just 30 minutes, this manestra recipe makes a perfect lunch or even a light dinner.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef or lamb or turkey
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 8 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

Read Directions

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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.

© Annmarie
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