Hearty Beef Casserole with Orzo - Authentic Greek Giouvetsi Recipe
In this recipe, we start by searing Black Angus beef ribs on the stove, locking in those delicious flavors. Then, we slow-simmer them in a fragrant tomato-based sauce infused with Greek herbs and spices. The magic happens in the oven as the beef tenderizes and becomes fall-off-the-bone tender. The orzo, nestled among the succulent beef, absorbs all the savory goodness, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. This traditional Greek comfort dish is a true labor of love, resulting in a rich, hearty, and soul-warming meal that will transport your taste buds straight to Greece.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
- 2.5 kg / 5-6 lbs beef ribs or other cut of beef
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large onions diced
- 4 carrots diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 200g / 0.5 lbs tomato paste
- ½ bottle red wine
- 300 ml / 1 cup beef stock
- 2 Kg / 4 lbs crushed tomato
- 3 sticks cinnamon
- 10 bahar seeds
- 25 cloves garfunkel
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 Kg / 2 lbs orzo
- parmesan rind
- salt & pepper to taste
- parmesan for serving
place a big pot on the burner of your stove running at medium heat
add olive oil and sear the meat on all sides, once ready transfer it to a big bowl
continue by adding the diced onion and the carrots, cook until it softens up
turn the heat down to low, create some space in the middle of the pot and add the minced garlic and the tomato paste
add the red wine and cook until the alcohol evaporates
add the beef stock
add the crushed tomatoes
add the cinnamon, bahar seeds, garfunkel, bay leaves, sea salt, black pepper and mix it all in
add the beef in the pot and bring it up to a simmer
preheat the oven at 180℃-356℉
place the pot with the lid on to the middle rack of your oven
after an hour in, add in the pot the parmesan rind and let it cook for another 60 minutes
turn the heat of the oven to 200℃-392℉ but don't put the pot inside yet since you have to prepare the orzo first
in a big pan add 4 tbsp of olive oil and fry the orzo until it becomes golden
add the orzo in the pot and make sure it's submerged, add more tomato if necessary
place the lid on the pot and straight in the oven's middle rack
let it cook for 15 minutes
ready to serve with grated parmesan and parsley on top
Keyword BBQ, cooking, foodie, greece, recipe