Egyptian Orzo-Beef Casserole (Tagen Lesan Asfour bel Lahma) is an economic crowd pleaser and one pot wonder of creamy orzo and melt-in-your-mouth beef cubes. All is smothered in a broth-enriched tomato sauce, spiked with Egyptian spice blend.

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What is Egyptian Orzo-Beef Casserole aka Lesan Asfour Bel Lahma?  

Orzo-beef Casserole is one of the many economic dishes, which Egyptians have excelled in creating. It uses inexpensive cuts of meat and can feed a large crowd on a budget.

Orzo-beef, or Lesan Asfour Bel Lahma, is slowly cooked meat cubes baked with orzo in a broth-enriched tomato sauce.

What is Orzo?

Orzo is a type of pasta that is so small that Middle Eastern people call it Lesan Asfour which translates to bird tongue as its shape resembles the latter.

How To Cook The Perfect Orzo-Beef Casserole

Creating opulent flavors with modest ingredients is made possible by mastering the small steps that lead to a dish with splendid flavors. I listed down here the steps in order with detailes explained and all the success secrets.

1- Toast the Orzo

In a heavy bottom pan, heat 1/4 cup of canola oil on medium heat. Lower the heat and add 1 cup of orzo pasta. Toss the orzo in the hot oil and stir until the orzo has a deep amber color. Don’t walk away from the pan so the orzo doesn’t burn and become bitter. When the orzo has a deep amber color, remove it with a slotted spoon and set it aside for later when you assemble the casserole.

2- Cook the Beef Stew 

Start by drying the beef stew with kitchen absorbent paper, and let the beef cubes come to room temperature. Sprinkle the beef cubes with salt and pepper and then add them in batches to the sizzling ghee mixed with oil.

Add the ghee and oil to the same pan, or dutch oven, you used to toast the orzo. Don’t overcrowd the pan with the beef, so they don’t steam instead of browning.

Brown the meat on all sides, sprinkle the meat with the Egyptian spice blend and then add chopped onions, garlic, and the hot water.

Let the meat cook for two to two and half hours on low heat, until the meat is fork tender and the broth is reduced.

3- Assemble The Dish

When the meat is cooked through and the broth is reduced yet still simmering, add the toasted orzo, 1/2 cup of tomato pasta sauce mixed with 1/2 cup of water or broth and let the orzo boil for two to three minutes in the hot broth until it is cooked al dente.

Don’t overcook the orzo so it doesn’t collapse when it is baked.

Transfer everything in the heavy bottom pan to a deep baking dish, add 1/4 cup of fresh parsley or a few sprigs of oregano. Adorn the top of the baking dish with some tomato slices. Drizzle some olive oil on top of the tomatoes and bake it in a preheated oven at 375 F° for 20-25 minutes.

4- Serve

Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the dish and serve the Orzo-Beef casserole hot, next to some fresh salad.

This Egyptian casserole or Lesan Asfour Bel Lahma is similar to a Greek dish with the name of GIOUVETSI. It doesn’t surprise me if there is a sort of mutual  adaptation with the Greek dish, given that Egypt hosted a significantly sizable Greek community that lived  in Egypt for centuries.

Egyptian Orzo-Beef Casserole Beats the Inflation

• Economic

During the current inflation, we are looking for creative solutions to reduce our grocery bill. Dishes like this orzo-beef casserole feeds a crowd on a budget as it uses an inexpensive meat cut that slowly cooks to yield a tender protein that melts in your mouth.

• One Pot Wonder

Orzo-Beef Pasta saves money as well as time. It is a one pot wonder, so no plethora of dishes to scrub or wash. If you are using a Dutch oven, it can also go in the oven, so no need to transfer the orzo and meat to a deep baking dish. You can simply serve it straight out of the Dutch oven.

You might also like:

Check Out More Egyptian Pasta Recipes On My Blog 

• Koshari 
• Macarona Bechamel 

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Disclaimer:Chez Nermine blog is an Amazon Associate. We earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Our commission doesn’t affect the  price of the product you purchase.

Egyptian Orzo-Beef Casserole:

 

TOOLS

• Heavy bottom pan or Dutch oven
• Deep baking dish in ceramic or clay
• Slotted Spoon 
• Wooden spoon

INGREDIENTS

To toast the orzo

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 bag orzo, 400 grams approx

To cook the meat & make the broth

• 1 tablespoon ghee or butter
• 1 tablespoon canola oil, optional
• 500 grams chuck roast, cubed to 1/2″ x 1/2 “
• 1 tablespoon freshly crushed pepper
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt, preferably Himalayan salt 
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3-4  garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 -2 teaspoons boharat or seven spices (meat spices)
• 6 cups hot water, or enough water to cover the meat by 1 inch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup tomato pasta sauce or Tomato juice
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil, or parsley, or oregano

To Garnish

• Fresh basil leaves, parsley, or a sprig of oregano

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown the orzo: In a Dutch oven, or a heavy bottom pan, add the oil on medium low heat. Once hot, add the orzo and stir the orzo in the hot oil, until it becomes deep golden brown. Don’t walk away, as the orzo could burn so quickly and become bitter. Once it reaches the deep amber color, turn off the heat, remove the orzo with a slotted spoon and set it aside, until you are ready to assemble the casserole.

2. Prepare the meat: Dry the beef cubes with kitchen absorbent paper let the beef cubes come to room temperature and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper right before adding it to the hot dutch pan.

3. Sear the meat : Leave the beef in the same heavy bottom pan where you toasted the orzo, add the ghee or butter and heat on medium heat. Once it sizzles, add the beef cubes in batches and brown them until they are nicely seared and have a curst.

4. Cook the meat and make the broth: Add the boharat (spice blend), chopped onions and garlic, and hot water, and let the meat cook for two to two and half hours until the beef cubes are pork tender and the broth is rich enough. If the water runs low, add some during the cooking. When the meat is fully cooked and the broth is reduced, add the toasted orzo, the tomato sauce (or juice), and tomato paste. Stir to dissolve the tomato sauce and paste. Let the orzo boil for no more than 3-4 minutes until it is cooked al dente. Avoid overcooking the orzo.

5. Assemble the dish: In a deep ceramic or a baking dish, empty the dutch oven in the baking dish add the orzo. Toss in chopped fresh leaves of basil, parsley, or a spring of oregano. Arrange slices of tomatoes on top of the dish, drizzle some oil on top of the tomatoes. Bake in a preheated oven to 375 for 20 minutes.

6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle some fresh parsley,  basil or a sprig of oregano on top and serve hot.

7. Store: Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for three days.