My dad’s recipe for youvetsi, a Greek pasta, is the perfect weeknight dinner.
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My dad always made youvetsi when I was a kid — it was a weeknight staple at our house.The classic Greek dish features lamb or beef cooked with orzo pasta and a tomato sauce.The delicious recipe is super easy and only takes around 30 minutes to make.
I grew up eating youvetsi, a classic Greek comfort dish.
The baked dish, also spelled giouvetsi or yiouvetsi, typically features lamb or beef cooked with orzo pasta and a tomato sauce. Think of it as our version of casserole.
This hearty and comforting dish, traditionally made for Sunday family dinners in Greece, was a staple of my childhood. My parents, who immigrated to the US in the 1980s, often made Greek dishes that reminded them of home and helped me and my sister connect to the culture.
Every time I saw a box of orzo sitting out on our kitchen island, I knew it was youvetsi night.
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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.
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To make a pan of youvetsi for four to five people, you’ll need:
16-ounce box of Barilla orzo pasta1 pound of beef cubes (my dad buys the pre-cut beef for stew)1 cup of parsley1 clove of garlic⅔ cup of jarred marinara sauce½ of a white onion¾ cup of red wine¼ 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.
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All you need to do is chop the parsley and onion, plus mince the garlic.
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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.
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Cook the meat cubes until they’re slightly brown.
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Cook everything together for one to two minutes, until the onions are translucent.
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We used a bottle of merlot for this youvetsi, but pinot noir also works well.
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Make sure there’s enough water to cover the meat.
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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.
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Be careful with the hot pot!
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My dad recommends using a 13-inch by 9-inch pan to serve four to five people.
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Add your jarred marinara sauce to the bowl and mix everything together.
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If there isn’t enough juice for four full cups, just add water.
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Bring the pot to a boil and let everything cook for around one minute.
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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.
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This allows the orzo to absorb the remaining juices.
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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?
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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!