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.

Youvetsi is a Greek pasta dish typically featuring beef or lamb cooked with orzo pasta and a tomato sauce. This recipe only takes 30 minutes.

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Mar 24, 2025 - 08:27
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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.
Greek dad's kritharaki
My dad's recipe for youvetsi, a Greek pasta, is the perfect weeknight dinner.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

  • 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.

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.
Sauce for Greek dad's kritharaki
Adding the marinara mixture back into the pressure cooker.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

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.
Greek dad's kritharaki
With this youvetsi, you'll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

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!

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