Description
Creamy spinach mushroom orzo brings Mediterranean comfort to your dinner table, blending earthy mushrooms with tender pasta. Delicate herbs and parmesan cheese elevate this simple yet luxurious dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) orzo pasta
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish and Optional Ingredients:
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil orzo in salted water at medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until tender and translucent, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully sauté sliced mushrooms until golden brown and caramelized, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium, introduce minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without burning.
- Gently cascade fresh baby spinach into skillet, allowing leaves to collapse and wilt naturally, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate drained orzo into vegetable mixture, stirring smoothly to distribute ingredients evenly and ensure uniform coating.
- Remove skillet from heat, generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese across surface, then season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Optional: Enhance presentation by garnishing with crushed red pepper flakes and finely chopped parsley for additional color and zesty flavor profile.
- Transfer to serving dish immediately while maintaining optimal warmth and serve promptly.
Notes
- Swap mushrooms for cauliflower or zucchini to create a lighter vegetable-packed version that’s equally delicious.
- Toast orzo in olive oil before boiling to enhance its nutty flavor and give the pasta a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Boost protein content by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans directly into the skillet for a more substantial meal.
- Use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking orzo to infuse extra flavor into the pasta and create a more complex dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 188 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg