Beef Giouvetsi: 5 Irresistible Reasons to Try

If you’ve ever wanted your kitchen to smell like a Mediterranean holiday without booking a flight, Beef Giouvetsi is your golden ticket. This Greek comfort dish is rich, hearty, and—my favorite part—practically cooks itself once you get it going. Think melt-in-your-mouth beef in a spiced tomato sauce, cozied up with tender orzo pasta. It’s the kind of dinner that makes everyone at the table sigh happily between bites.

For busy nights (or just nights when you’d rather be watching Netflix than washing pans), this is a lifesaver. Bonus? You can also make it as a Crock Pot Beef Giouvetsi if you want to set it and forget it.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Giouvetsi

• Full of flavor, minimal fuss – You do a little searing, then let the pot do all the work.
• Family-approved – Even picky eaters will happily slurp up the orzo.
• Perfect for make-ahead – Tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Beef:

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Pasta:

• 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
• 2 cups hot water or beef broth (as needed)

Optional Toppings:

• Grated Kefalotyri cheese (or Parmesan)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step: How to Make Beef Giouvetsi

1. Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Season beef with salt and pepper, then sear in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. Build the Sauce

In the same pot, sauté onion until softened (about 3–4 minutes).
Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, allspice, and sugar (if using). Mix well.

3. Slow Simmer

Return beef to the pot, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 1.5–2 hours, until beef is tender and sauce is rich.

4. Add the Orzo

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Stir orzo into the sauce. If needed, add hot water or extra broth.
Transfer pot to the oven and bake 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.

5. Serve

Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
Top with grated Kefalotyri cheese and fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your Greek comfort feast.

Tips for Perfect Giouvetsi

• No Dutch oven? No problem—use a regular pot for stovetop cooking, or try the Crock Pot Beef Giouvetsi method: after searing beef and sautéing aromatics, transfer everything (except orzo) to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours. Add orzo in the last 30–40 minutes with extra broth.
• Make it ahead – This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
• Cheese it up – Don’t skip the grated cheese topping; it adds the perfect salty finish.

FAQs About Beef Giouvetsi

Bring a Little Greece to Your Dinner Table

Whether you’re making it the traditional way or as a Crock Pot Beef Giouvetsi, this dish is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s rich, cozy, and perfect for when life feels a little too busy. One bite, and you might just find yourself dreaming of a sunny Greek village—minus the jet lag.

More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this Beef Giouvetsi, you’ll love exploring more cozy, flavorful meals that are just as easy and satisfying:

• Try a rich, savory twist with this Slow Cooker Beef Ragu — perfect over pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.
• For a hearty and slightly smoky option, check out this Crockpot Mexican Beef Birria — incredible in tacos or over rice.
• Craving something with a creamy kick? This French Onion Soup Pasta is pure comfort in every bite.
• When you need a fuss-free dinner, the Crockpot Beef Short Ribs deliver melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with minimal effort.

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Beef Giouvetsi (Greek Beef Orzo Pasta)

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Beef Giouvetsi is a cozy Greek comfort dish made with tender beef, rich tomato sauce, and orzo pasta. Perfect for busy nights or weekend family dinners, this flavorful recipe can also be adapted for a crock pot.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Beef:

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into cubes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tsp ground allspice

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Pasta:

• 1 ½ cups orzo pasta

• 2 cups hot water or beef broth (as needed)

Optional Toppings:

• Grated Kefalotyri cheese (or Parmesan)

• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Sear the Beef – Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper, then sear in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. Build the Sauce – In the same pot, sauté onion until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, allspice, and sugar (if using). Mix well.

3. Slow Simmer – Return beef to the pot, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 1.5–2 hours, until beef is tender and sauce is rich.

4. Add the Orzo – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Stir orzo into the sauce. Add hot water or broth if needed. Transfer to the oven and bake 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.

5. Serve – Remove cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Top with grated Kefalotyri cheese and fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

For a Crock Pot Beef Giouvetsi, sear beef and sauté onion/garlic first, then transfer everything except orzo to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–7 hours. Add orzo in the last 30–40 minutes with extra broth.
This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
Kefalotyri cheese gives the most authentic Greek flavor, but Parmesan is a great substitute.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Simmer + Oven Bake
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Serving
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg