Best 3 Youvetsi Traditional Greek Orzo Bake Recipes

**Uncover the Culinary Delights of Youvetsi: A Journey Through Traditional Greek Cuisine**

Embark on a culinary journey to Greece with Youvetsi, a traditional orzo bake that tantalizes taste buds with its hearty flavors and comforting aroma. This beloved dish combines tender orzo pasta, succulent lamb or beef, and a vibrant medley of vegetables, all enveloped in a rich tomato sauce. Savor the distinct flavors of kefalotyri cheese, a tangy Greek cheese that adds a delightful touch of salty savoriness. Discover the secrets behind this classic Greek casserole, including variations featuring chicken, seafood, or even a vegetarian twist. Immerse yourself in the culinary heritage of Greece as you explore the diverse recipes presented in this article, each offering a unique interpretation of this timeless dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED LAMB AND ORZO (ARNI YOUVETSI)

Baked Lamb And Orzo (Arni Youvetsi) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 3h25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 pounds lamb (shank, leg, shoulder roast, top roast, etc.)
Olive oil, for drizzling
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3/4 cup diced tomatoes
3 cups broth or water
8 ounces orzo
Myzithra cheese, feta, Parmesan or good Romano, for serving

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Rub the lamb with olive oil and sprinkle very liberally with salt and pepper. Sear the lamb in a heavy bottomed skillet. Transfer to a casserole dish.
Add a little olive oil to the skillet, then add the onions. Cook until tender, then stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook until they start to become incorporated with the onions. Add the diced tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the liquid to the lamb casserole. Cover it and bake until the lamb is very tender, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Add the orzo and stir. Add some hot water if it starts to look dry and continue to bake, uncovered, until the orzo is cooked, 20 to 30 minutes.
Serve pieces of the lamb alongside the orzo and top generously with your choice of cheese.

YOUVETSI (TRADITIONAL GREEK ORZO BAKE)

Youvetsi (Traditional Greek Orzo Bake) image

If you are looking for an authentic dish from Greece, this recipe is for you! I grew up eating this, one of my favorite meals! It's usually made with veal or lamb stew meat but my family has always used chicken, which is delicious! You can use whichever you prefer! Either way this baked orzo dish will melt in your mouth! It may sound like a lot of work, but the preparation is very little! The majority of it is cooking time!

Provided by STEFADOURAKI

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek

Time 2h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil
3 pounds cubed lamb stew meat
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, pureed in a food processor
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
½ teaspoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup butter
1 pound uncooked orzo pasta
3 cups hot water

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook meat until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the orzo. Saute until slightly brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer orzo to a baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Remove meat from the saucepan and place on top of the orzo. Pour tomato sauce evenly over meat. Add hot water. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven until all water is absorbed and orzo is soft, about 1 hour. If the dish becomes too dry, add more water during baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 575.6 calories, Carbohydrate 37.6 g, Cholesterol 109.8 mg, Fat 35.2 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 27.3 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 234.8 mg, Sugar 4 g

YOUVETSI: GREEK LAMB STEW WITH ORZO

Youvetsi: Greek Lamb Stew with Orzo image

Easy stovetop youvetsi can be made with lamb or beef and small orzo noodles, all cooked together in an aromatic tomato sauce with garlic, oregano, and other comforting Greek flavors! Tips and make-ahead instructions included.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories Main Course

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 pound lamb shoulder ((boneless, or lamb leg, trimmed of fat and cut into small 1-inch chunks))
Kosher salt and black pepper
extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions ((finely chopped))
4 garlic cloves ((minced))
1 cup red wine
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 bay leaf
28 ounces whole San Marzano tomatoes
1 cup orzo pasta
1/2 cup fresh parsley ((chopped))
feta cheese ((for garnish, optional))

Steps:

Pat the lamb dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
In a large, ceramic braising pan or heavy pan with a lid, heat 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the lamb and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, tossing regularly, until browned. Transfer the lamb to a large plate for now.
In the same pan, add the onions and garlic. Season with kosher salt. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened.
Return the lamb to the pan. Add the red wine, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg and bay leaf. Cook until the wine has reduced by at least ½, then add 1 cup of water and the tomatoes. Break the tomatoes up using a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the lamb is cooked through.
Stir in the orzo and cover the pan. Let cook for another 20 minutes or until the orzo has cooked through and most of the moister has been absorbed.
Garnish with parsley and crumbled feta, if you like, before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.6 kcal, Carbohydrate 21.3 g, Protein 13.2 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Sodium 233.2 mg, Fiber 1.4 g, Sugar 1.1 g, UnsaturatedFat 1.5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, and good quality olive oil will make a big difference in the taste of your youvetsi.
Don't overcrowd the pan: When browning the meat and vegetables, make sure to do it in batches so that they can cook evenly.
Season well: Don't be afraid to season your youvetsi generously with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. This will help to bring out the flavors of the dish.
Simmer gently: Once the youvetsi is assembled, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the orzo to cook through.
Serve with a side of yogurt or feta cheese: This will help to add a creamy, tangy flavor to the dish.
Be patient: Youvetsi takes time to cook, but the wait is worth it. The longer you simmer it, the more flavorful it will be.

Conclusion:

Youvetsi is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables, and it is also a good option for a vegetarian meal. If you are looking for a hearty and flavorful dish that is easy to make, then youvetsi is the perfect recipe for you.