Description
A quick and comforting one-pan dish with creamy spinach, savory mushrooms, and tender orzo pasta cooked in a luscious cheesy sauce, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cups mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups orzo pasta
3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ tsp dried thyme (or fresh)
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add mushrooms and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and moisture evaporates.
- Stir in minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Add uncooked orzo to the pan and toast with veggies for 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed. Add more broth if needed.
- Stir in heavy cream and dried thyme, cook for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted into the sauce.
- Mix in Parmesan cheese, season with salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.
Notes
To make vegan, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese.
Add red pepper flakes with garlic for a spicy kick.
Enhance with extra veggies like peas, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted bell peppers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of broth or water.
Use small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or small shells as an alternative to orzo, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing, simmering
- Cuisine: American / Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
