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Youvetsi

Name: Youvetsi
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 120 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 lb beef chuck or lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cans (14 oz each) crushed tomatoes; 2 cups beef broth; 1/2 cup red wine (optional); 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 bay leaf; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta; 1/2 cup grated kefalotyri or parmesan cheese, for serving

Beef and orzo baked slowly in a tomato broth until the pasta soaks up every drop — a one-pot classic from the Greek clay-pot tradition.

⏱ 25 minPrep time

🔥 2 hrCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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Youvetsi is Greek orzo stew: lamb or beef braised slowly with tomatoes and herbs, then finished with orzo that soaks up the rich sauce until every grain is plump and glossy. It’s one-pot comfort at its finest.

Named for the clay baking dish it traditionally cooks in, youvetsi is a Greek Sunday favorite, often served with grated kefalotyri cheese on top. The orzo should be saucy, not dry — serve it straight away.

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Step by stepInstructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brown the beef in the olive oil in a Dutch oven, in batches; set aside.
Sauté the onion until soft; add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
Return the beef with the tomatoes, broth, wine, oregano, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Cover and braise in the oven 1 1/2 hours until the meat is tender.
Stir in the orzo, cover, and bake 20-25 minutes more until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the sauce; add hot broth if it looks dry.
Rest 10 minutes; remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Serve with grated cheese.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Keep the orzo saucy — it keeps absorbing liquid after baking. Red wine is optional but adds depth to the tomato sauce.

Recipe details

Prep25 min

Cook2 hr

Servings6

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Youvetsi

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Youvetsi

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