Baked Lamb Giouvetsi with Orzo and Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

Slow-baked lamb chunks simmered in a rich tomato sauce with orzo pasta, finished with melted kefalotyri cheese for a hearty Greek meal. This Mediterranean-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs lamb shoulder, cubed, olive oil, onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup kefalotyri cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed lamb shoulder and brown on all sides for about 6-7 minutes until golden.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup dry red wine, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup orzo pasta, stir well, then cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, stirring halfway through, until lamb is tender and orzo is cooked.
5. Step 5: Remove the pot from oven, discard the cinnamon stick, and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated kefalotyri cheese over the top. Return uncovered to oven for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.