Comments on: Manestra (Greek-Style Orzo with Ground Beef)

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:25:38 +0000

In reply to Chloe.

So glad you liked it!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:31:15 +0000

In reply to JM.

So glad you liked it! This is my family’s literal favorite and we make it almost weekly. Isn’t the mint great?! It’s so common in Greek cooking and I grew up with it, but you’re not the only one who is hesitant to add it. I like to dry my own mint from the mint I grow – much cheaper and more flavorful.

As for draining the fat from the meat, you can if you want, but I usually don’t bother (and I usually use 90% lean ground beef). If you’re using a fattier ground beef, it might be a good idea to drain at least some of the fat so it doesn’t taste greasy.

By: JM

JM — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:51:28 +0000

Do I drain the fat from the meat before proceeding? I bought dried mint specifically for this recipe and was a little apprehensive the dish would taste like a strong Altoid but it did not at all. This was so delicious and I will keep in rotation. Greek food is one of my favorites and this was me dipping my toes into creating it at home. I’m so excited for my husband to try this tonight because it is fantastic! I am so glad I didn’t let my unfamiliarity with combining the mint and cinnamon to dissuade me from trying it. Such an exciting new dish to add to my recipe book!

By: Chloe

Chloe — Wed, 28 May 2025 20:36:57 +0000

Made this last night and I will make it again! We made it with ground turkey. My husband, my daughter and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the easy recipe!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Wed, 07 May 2025 11:54:34 +0000

In reply to Magda.

So glad you liked it!

By: Magda

Magda — Mon, 05 May 2025 23:05:50 +0000

Fantastic. Made it with lamb (made sure to drain grease) and added garlic. Thanks for the great recipe.

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:49:06 +0000

In reply to The-Meghan-Disruptor.

Just popping back in to let you know my ad company took care of this issue, so you should be good to go now! Thanks again!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:47:17 +0000

In reply to The-Meghan-Disruptor.

Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention. I’m going to contact my ad company right now to see if they can’t get this resolved. Step 2 reads: “Add the 6 oz. tomato paste, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper to taste, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 heaping teaspoon dried spearmint.”

FYI, you can click “print recipe” and it will open the recipe in another tab so you can view it there too! Hope that helps and thanks again, so sorry for the inconvenience!

By: The-Meghan-Disruptor

The-Meghan-Disruptor — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:41:05 +0000

There’s an ad covering step 2. I assume that’s where you add the tomato paste, cinnamon and mint. Looking forward to trying this. Can’t rate it u til it’s been made

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 20:33:34 +0000

In reply to Kori.

This makes me so happy! Honestly this is the recipe I cook most frequently myself and my entire family loves it. So glad to hear you and your husband like it!

By: Kori

Kori — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:43:20 +0000

I’ve probably made this 10x since finding this recipe. My husband and I love it! The cinnamon, mint, and tomato smell amazing as its cooking. I follow the recipe as written. Thank you!!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:09:39 +0000

In reply to Lori.

Glad you were able to adjust this recipe to suit your needs! It’s a simple recipe at its core.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:06:35 +0000

I gave 3 stars bc after tasting the recipe as written I felt it needed more of something, for my taste buds at least. I made minor adjustments. I added probably a tsp or two MORE of salt and pepper. I added garlic and onion powder. I also simmered it partially covered bc I wanted the liquid to boil off more. After that, it was good. I was surprised everyone liked it haha. Only bc I was skeptical about the cinnamon and mint flavor with the kids. But I will be keeping this recipe for the future. Thank you!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:31:48 +0000

In reply to melly.

So glad you liked it!

By: melly

melly — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:57:56 +0000

Easy and delicious. I’m so glad I came across this recipe. Thank you!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:49:46 +0000

In reply to Helle.

So glad you liked it!

By: Helle

Helle — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:17:31 +0000

It tastes really good and it’s easy to make… It actually tastes even better the next day.
I have traveled a lot in Greece and tasted a lot of their authentic food.. This dish gives me fond memories of that.

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:02:42 +0000

In reply to Shelby.

Hi! I just double checked and it is in the instructions, where it says to “brown the ground beef and onion in a large pot.” But I can see how this can be easily missed! And really, the onions should be cooked before the beef goes in. I’m going to adjust the recipe instructions now. Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 12:39:18 +0000

In reply to Linda.

So glad you liked it!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:21:28 +0000

FANTASTIC!!! I loved it! and so quick and easy to make. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

By: Shelby

Shelby — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 18:14:01 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Lindemann.

I made this ages ago and am excited to be revisiting. I see the onion in the ingredients but I don’t see it listed in the process. Where do you suggest this go in the steps?

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Tue, 14 May 2024 11:57:17 +0000

In reply to Pat.

Pasta doesn’t freeze super well – I don’t think this would hold up well in the freezer.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 14 May 2024 01:55:10 +0000

Can you freeze this dish?
Thanks, Pat

By: Elizabeth Lindemann

Elizabeth Lindemann — Thu, 09 May 2024 11:03:44 +0000

In reply to Kristen.

Yes, it has a lot of similar flavor from the meat and cinnamon and tomato! This one also has similar flavors, heavier on the cinnamon like pastitsio (no tomato though, but you can always add some tomato sauce to the beef): https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/greek-spaghetti-browned-butter-ground-beef-cinnamon/ Hope you like it!