How to Make Easy Greek Orzo Pasta

My dad has taught me how to make many classic Greek dishes. After perfecting the recipe, he knew youvetsi should be next.

Anneta's dad with his baklava — My dad with his famous baklava. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

From pastitsio (the Greek version of lasagna) and lemon potatoes to avgolemono soup and baklava, my dad has a Greek dish for any occasion and season.

His youvetsi is perfect whenever you need an easy dinner that's both comforting and delicious.

Here's how to make it.

My dad's youvetsi only requires a few ingredients, and you probably already have most of them in your kitchen.

Ingredients for Greek dad's kritharaki — My dad's youvetsi features beef cubes, orzo, and marinara sauce. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

To make a pan of youvetsi for four to five people, you'll need:

16-ounce box of Barilla orzo pasta
1 pound of beef cubes (my dad buys the pre-cut beef for stew)
1 cup of parsley
1 clove of garlic
⅔ cup of jarred marinara sauce
½ of a white onion
¾ cup of red wine
¼ cup of olive oil

Pro tip: The ratio of orzo to water depends on the type of orzo you use, and it can make a huge difference in the taste and texture of your youvetsi. My dad has only tested this recipe with Barilla orzo, so he recommends sticking to that or something very similar.

The first step is just some very minimal prep.

Chopped parsley for Greek dad's kritharaki — First, we chopped the parsley, onion, and garlic. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

All you need to do is chop the parsley and onion, plus mince the garlic.

Then, it's time to cook the meat. First, add the olive oil to a pressure cooker.

Olive oil in pot for Greek dad's kritharaki — Let the olive oil heat up in the pressure cooker. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

My dad uses his Presto pressure cooker whenever he makes youvetsi, but you can apply this same process to your own quick pot — just make sure to adjust the cooking time.

If you don't have a quick pot or pressure cooker, don't stress! You can cook the beef in a regular pot as well. After you add the wine and water, cover the pot and let the meat cook slowly for about an hour and 30 minutes. Just note that a regular pot will require far more water to cook the meat.

Let the olive oil heat up, then throw in the meat cubes.

Meat cooking in pot for Greek dad's kritharaki — Adding the meat to the pressure cooker. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Cook the meat cubes until they're slightly brown.

Then, add the chopped onion, parsley, and garlic.

Adding onions and parsley to meat for Greek dad's kritharaki — Cooking the beef cubes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Cook everything together for one to two minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Now, it's time to add the wine.

Adding red wine to Greek dad's kritharaki — Merlot or pinot noir work well for youvetsi. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

We used a bottle of merlot for this youvetsi, but pinot noir also works well.

Then, add a cup of water.

Adding water to Greek dad's kritharaki — Adding water to the pressure cooker. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Make sure there's enough water to cover the meat.

Season everything with salt and pepper, then cover the pressure cooker.

Cooking Greek dad's kritharaki — Once the pressure cooker valve begins rocking, let it cook for 11 minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

After a few minutes, the valve of the pressure cooker will begin rocking. My dad says you should then let the meat cook for an additional 11 minutes.

Once the meat is ready, cool the pot immediately by placing it under water.

Letting the pan cool for Greek dad's kritharaki — Cool the pressure cooker once the meat is ready. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Be careful with the hot pot!

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat from your pot to a baking dish, spreading the meat evenly.

Meat for Greek dad's kritharaki — Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat without losing the juice. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

My dad recommends using a 13-inch by 9-inch pan to serve four to five people.

Transfer the leftover juice from your pot into a separate bowl.

Sauce for Greek dad's kritharaki — Mix the meat juice with the jarred marinara sauce. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Add your jarred marinara sauce to the bowl and mix everything together.

Add four cups of the marinara mixture back into the pressure cooker or pot.

If there isn't enough juice for four full cups, just add water.

Then, add two cups of the orzo pasta.

Adding orzo to Greek dad's kritharaki — Adding the orzo to the pot. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Bring the pot to a boil and let everything cook for around one minute.

Pour the orzo mixture into the pan with the meat and spread it evenly. Now, it's time to bake!

Pre-cooked Greek dad's kritharaki — Bake the youvetsi for around 17 minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Place your pan on the middle rack of the oven and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 17 minutes.

Then, sample some orzo and make sure it's al dente. If it tastes too dry, add ¼ cup water and cook your pasta for a few more minutes.

Once your orzo is ready, take the pan out and let it rest for five minutes.

Greek dad's kritharaki — Let your pan rest for five minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

This allows the orzo to absorb the remaining juices.

My dad recommends serving the youvetsi with Parmesan or feta cheese for added deliciousness.

Anneta's dad with kritharaki — My dad with his perfect pan of youvetsi. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Youvetsi is such a great comfort meal. The meat is soft, tender, and juicy, melting into your mouth with each bite. I also love that this dish uses orzo (or kritharaki, as the Greeks call it). The light pasta serves as a nice contrast to the heavy meat, making this dish perfect for any season.

I know nostalgia plays a huge factor in comfort food, but I'm confident that so many families would love my dad's youvetsi.

Plus, who doesn't want a dish that gets dinner on the table in 30 minutes?

My dad spent months perfecting his youvetsi recipe, and now he's excited to share it with you.

After many cooking trials, my dad believes this youvetsi is perfect for anyone craving an easy dinner — and I agree.

My dad has since also tested this recipe with chicken, which takes even less work than beef.

"Using chicken has the advantage that you don't need the pressure cooker," he told me. "You just sear it on the pan, then you put it together with the orzo in the oven for 20 minutes, and it's done."

Whichever way you decide to make it, I know my dad's youvetsi will deliver an easy and delicious Greek dinner. Enjoy!

My dad spent months perfecting his recipe for this Greek pasta dish, which only takes 30 minutes to prepare. It's the perfect weeknight dinner.

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

My dad spent months perfecting his recipe for this Greek pasta dish, which only takes 30 minutes to prepare. It's the perfect weeknight dinner.

My dad has taught me how to make many classic Greek dishes. After perfecting the recipe, he knew youvetsi should be next.

My dad's youvetsi only requires a few ingredients, and you probably already have most of them in your kitchen.

The first step is just some very minimal prep.

Then, it's time to cook the meat. First, add the olive oil to a pressure cooker.

Let the olive oil heat up, then throw in the meat cubes.

Then, add the chopped onion, parsley, and garlic.

Now, it's time to add the wine.

Then, add a cup of water.

Season everything with salt and pepper, then cover the pressure cooker.

Once the meat is ready, cool the pot immediately by placing it under water.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat from your pot to a baking dish, spreading the meat evenly.

Transfer the leftover juice from your pot into a separate bowl.

Add four cups of the marinara mixture back into the pressure cooker or pot.

Then, add two cups of the orzo pasta.

Pour the orzo mixture into the pan with the meat and spread it evenly. Now, it's time to bake!

Once your orzo is ready, take the pan out and let it rest for five minutes.

My dad recommends serving the youvetsi with Parmesan or feta cheese for added deliciousness.

My dad spent months perfecting his youvetsi recipe, and now he's excited to share it with you.

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know