Giouvetsi is the ultimate Greek comfort food! This flavor-packed beef and orzo stew cooked in a rich tomato sauce is a hearty and delicious one-pot meal your whole family will love.
2lbs(900g) diced beef or one large piece of brisket
1large onion, diced
4garlic cloves, roughly chopped
⅓cup(80ml) red wine or beef broth
¼cup(60ml) red wine vinegar
1tbspbalsamic vinegar
½tbspWorcestershire sauce
2tbsptomato paste
14oz(400g) can crushed tomatoes or liquidized plum tomatoes
½tbspbrown sugar, optional
2tspsalt
1tspground black pepper
1tspmixed herbs
½tspallspice
½tspground cinnamon
¼tspground cumin
¼tspground coriander
1large bay leaf
2cups(500 ml) beef broth or stock made using Bouillon / stock cube
1 ½cups(300 g) orzo
To serve
freshly grated Parmesanto taste
salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
1tbspchopped parsley
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method
Season the beef with plenty of salt and pepper. I used a large piece of brisket in the video for this recipe but you can use diced chuck steak / braising steak if you prefer.
Heat the olive oil in large casserole or directly in your slow cooker if it offers a browning option (such as the Greenpan Slow Cooker). Add the beef and brown on all sides until nicely colored. You might need to do this in batches if using diced beef.
Add the red wine to deglaze the pot (stand back as it will steam up hitting the hot pan) and stir in the onions, garlic and bay leaf.
(Transfer everything to the crock pot if you have started this recipe in a casserole dish). Sprinkle with the spices, herbs, sugar and seasoning and add the beef broth, red wine and balsamic vinegar.
Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours or until the meat is fork tender.
NOTE: If you have used one large piece of meat then use tongs to transfer it to a cutting board, rest for a couple of minutes then slice into chunks. Add the beef back into the sauce.
Stir in the orzo and cook on HIGH for 20 – 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender. Add a little hot water if the sauce is looking a bit dry.
Discard the bay leaf, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley.
Stove Top Method
Follow the same steps as the slow cooker method until all ingredients apart from the pasta have been added to a large casserole or Dutch Oven. Increase the beef broth to 3 cups (750ml).
Bring the sauce to a boil then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes, or until the meat is tender.
If you have used one large piece of meat then use tongs to transfer it to a cutting board, rest for a couple of minutes then slice into chunks. Add the beef back into the sauce.
Stir in the orzo and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking and topping up with additional stock or water as needed.
Discard the bay leaf, taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley.
Video
Notes
STORING AND FREEZINGStore any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave, adding a little water as needed.You can also freeze Greek giouvetsi for up to three months, ideally before you add the orzo. Portion into suitable containers, allowing some space for the liquid to expand in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir in the pasta before you are ready to serve.SERVING SUGGESTIONSThis beef and pasta casserole is a full meal in itself. You can serve it with Greek bread and Horiatiki salad for a proper Greek feast! This recipe can serve a crowd so it is perfect for a family gathering.RECIPE VARIATIONS NOTES AND TIPS
You can make Giouvetsi using lamb, veal or chicken. I prefer using beef as this was the way my mum prepared it.
Add extra vegetables to make this casserole go further. Carrots, leeks, squash can all be used but you might need to adjust how much stock you add.
Adding orzo directly into the sauce allows the pasta to absorb all the wonderful flavors of this classic Greek dish. Orzo absorbs liquid very readily so make sure to stir while it is cooking to avoid sticking.