Youvetsi (Greek Beef Stew With Orzo Pasta)

Chef notes

Not to be totally over-the-top (OK, maybe a little late for that), but the Greeks kinda, sorta invented one-pot pasta, those genius dishes where you only have to sauté the aromatics, add a liquid, and then cook the pasta until everything takes on the flavor of everything else in the best way. Because youvetsi is exactly that. The smell of my frying up onions and garlic and tomato paste in a giant pot for this dish is a core memory (fall, Christmas), and it was a very good Wednesday when my Thia Christine would bring her version (with spaghetti) to church. It's such a simple preparation, but the effect of everything simmering together while the beef braises makes it so rich and earthy and complex.