Authentic Giouvetsi Recipe Greece, Europe

Giouvetsi is a hearty and comforting Greek dish that features slow-cooked meat, typically lamb, beef, or chicken (even seafood), baked with orzo pasta or hilopites in a rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce. The dish often includes onions and carrots, is seasoned with garlic, wine, and bay leaves, and can include spices like cinnamon or allspice to add a warm depth of flavor. Giouvetsi is baked in the oven until the pasta absorbs the sauce and the meat becomes tender and succulent. It's commonly served straight from the oven in the same dish it was cooked in, often garnished with grated cheese, such as kefalotyri or feta, adding a salty, tangy counterpoint to the savory flavors of the meat and sauce. This dish is a staple of Greek family meals and festive gatherings, celebrated for its simplicity and the way it encapsulates the essence of Greek comfort food. In the past, it was typically assembled at home and baked in a communal oven, such as the one in which bakers baked bread.