Description
A quick, delicious, and comforting Greek soup featuring manestra (Greek orzo), tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of cinnamon, perfect for a hearty yet light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (180g) manestra (Greek orzo pasta) or regular orzo
- 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- A handful fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic while the oil warms.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Add the dried oregano and cinnamon stick, stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the manestra pasta and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender but still slightly firm, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
Do not skip the cinnamon stick as it adds subtle warmth and balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Taste the orzo frequently to avoid overcooking. Use good-quality olive oil for best flavor. If soup thickens after resting, stir in a splash of water or broth before reheating. This soup reheats well and freezes for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Greek soup, manestra, tomato soup, orzo soup, quick soup, easy meal, vegetarian soup, healthy soup