Greek Orzo and Beef Casserole
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Ingredients
  • 1¼ cups of Orzo (whole wheat) I used regular
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 14½ oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp no-salt added tomato paste (not sure if mine was no-salt)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
  • 1 tbsp grated Romano Cheese ( I used Parmesan and more than a tbsp)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish.
  2. Cook orzo according to bag. Rinse. Transfer to large bowl.
  3. Meanwhile, cook beef in skillet over medium-high heat (spray skillet). About 4 minutes.
  4. Transfer to large bowl with orzo.
  5. Then I used the same skillet (wipe out the fat), add onion, celery and oregano. Cook until onion is softened about 5 minutes.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and cinnamon (key ingredient).
  7. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens, about 8 minutes.
  8. Stir in feta then beef mixture.
  9. Transfer to dish, sprinkle with Romano Cheese. Bake until heated through about 25 minutes.
  10. Serves 6 (1¼ cup=serving) 7 points Weight Watchers, 291 calories
Recipe by JOYFUL scribblings at https://www.joyfulscribblings.com/2013/03/greek-orzo-and-beef-casserole/