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Greek Manestra Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 44 reviews

Greek Manestra is a comforting and hearty traditional dish featuring tender macaroni simmered in a rich, seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce with aromatic spices like cinnamon and oregano. This one-pot meal offers a perfect balance of savory flavors, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying family dinner topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper, to taste (about 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper initially, plus additional for seasoning)

Other Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 8 ounces macaroni
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until browned and no longer pink.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent.
  3. Add tomato paste and spices: Stir in the tomato paste, ground cinnamon, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking and stirring until the tomato paste is well combined and starts to brown slightly, about 2 minutes.
  4. Simmer with water: Pour in the 4 cups of water, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Cook macaroni: Stir in the macaroni, cover the pot again, and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the pasta does not stick to the bottom, until the macaroni is tender.
  6. Season and serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, topped generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Use a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution and better simmering.
  • Be sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom.
  • For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated varieties.
  • This dish can be customized by adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach if desired.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Greek Manestra, Greek macaroni dish, ground beef pasta, traditional Greek recipe, one pot meal, hearty dinner

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/greek-manestra-recipe/