Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free (Kreas Kokkinisto)

This Greek Beef Stew with Pasta – known as Kreas Kokkinisto – is a hearty, slow-cooked dish made with tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce and finished with your favourite gluten-free pasta. It’s a nostalgic family favourite, straight from my mum’s kitchen, and one of the most comforting Greek recipes to make at home. Topped with grated halloumi or mizithra cheese, this dish is pure comfort in a bowl — simple, flavour-packed, and perfect for cosy nights.

Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free

What is Kreas Kokkinisto

The word KOKKINISTO means 'red stew'. The process of cooking any dish that is 'Kokkinisto' is to brown the meat first, in order to seal in the juices, and then, add the ingredients needed for the rich tomato sauce. Kokkinisto may be prepared with beef, lamb, veal, or chicken and can be served with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or thick-cut fried potato chips.

Childhood Memory: As a child, my mother would often serve, the next day, leftover Kreas Kokkinisto with homemade thick-cut fried potato chips and we would use the chips to mop us the rich tasty sauce, as you would use bread. It is, to this day, one of my favourite meals.

Watch How to Make It

Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free

Helpful Tips

Pasta

Any gluten-free pasta works beautifully with this dish. My personal favourites are large spirals or tubular spaghetti, as they hold the sauce well.👉 Cook the pasta only once the beef has finished cooking — this allows the meat to rest and the sauce to settle.

Cuts of Beef

The best cuts for this slow-cooked stew are chuck steak or gravy beef. These cuts break down beautifully with time and develop deep, rich flavour.

Searing the Beef

Don’t skip this step! Searing the beef locks in its juices and creates a caramelised base. Make sure to scrape up all the brown bits at the bottom of the pot — that’s where a lot of the flavour lives.

Keeping the Sauce from Drying Out

To avoid the sauce reducing too far and drying out the meat, make sure the liquid always sits at least halfway up the beef while it’s simmering.🔁 Stir every 20 minutes and top up with a little boiling water if needed to keep the consistency right and prevent burning.

Thickening the Sauce

To thicken the sauce naturally, remove the lid and bring it to a rapid boil for the final 5–7 minutes of cooking. This helps excess liquid evaporate and the sauce to reduce.Alternatively, add a cornflour slurry (1 teaspoon cornflour mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) and simmer for another minute or two until thickened.

Cheese! (or Dairy-Free Alternatives)

Traditionally, this dish is served with grated mizithra, a salty Greek cheese similar to parmesan. You can also use grated halloumi, parmesan, or even crumbled feta. 🧀 For dairy-free, try nutritional yeast or a plant-based hard cheese alternative.

What can I serve this Kreas Kokkinisto with?

• Gluten Free Pasta

• Stovetop Rice

• Baked Potatoes

• Greek Baked Vegetables

• Fried Potatoes

Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free

Other Beef Dinner Ideas

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

Greek Soutzoukakia (Meatballs)

Biftekia (Greek Beef Patties)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free

Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free (Kreas Kokkinisto)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serves: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

1.2 kg boneless beef 3cm cubed (gravy beef or chuck steak)

60ml (¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, diced

4 large cloves of garlic, minced

2 heaped tablespoons of tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground pimento spice or allspice

1 cinnamon stick

2 -3 teaspoons sea salt flakes

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 to 1.2 litres boiling water

Gluten-Free Pasta of choice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Brown the Beef

Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over high heat. Once hot, add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until it browns and any released liquid has evaporated — about 8–10 minutes.

2. Sauté the Aromatics

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Add Tomato Paste

Stir in the tomato paste, coating the beef. Sauté for 1 minute to bring out the flavour.

4. Simmer the Stew

Add the ground pimento (or allspice), cinnamon stick, and enough boiling water to just cover the meat. Bring to a rapid boil for 1 minute.

5. Slow Cook

Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 50 minutes to 1 hour. Stir every 20 minutes to prevent sticking.

🔥 Tip 1: If the sauce reduces too much whilst cooking, (about halfway down the beef), add more boiling water to keep the meat moist and prevent burning.

🔥 Tip 2: Once cooked, to thicken the sauce naturally, remove the lid and bring it to a rapid boil for the final 5–7 minutes of cooking. This helps excess liquid evaporate and the sauce to reduce. Alternatively, add a cornflour slurry (1 teaspoon cornflour mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) and simmer for another minute or two until thickened.

6. Prepare the Pasta

Once the beef is tender and the sauce is rich and thick, remove the pot from heat and keep it covered. Meanwhile, cook your gluten-free pasta according to packet instructions. Drain and divide among serving bowls.

7. Serve

Ladle the beef and tomato sauce generously over the pasta. Finish with finely grated parmesan, halloumi, or traditional mizithra cheese.

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Greek Beef Stew with Pasta, gluten-free

Recipe and Photography Margaret Pahos for @CreateCookShare