Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo is one of my personal favorite easy meals! I make it all the time, and usually enjoy it exactly as is for dinner. It’s delicious and satisfying as a vegetarian meal or a perfect pasta side with roasted chicken or pan-seared steak. The savory sauce for this dish is luxurious and smooth, and the mushrooms add a meaty texture. If you’re looking to add more meatless meals to your menu, you have to try this one! The best part? Mushroom orzo is made all in one skillet! I also make a creamy chicken orzo with kale and sun-dried tomatoes using this method. Whichever one-pot orzo dish you decide to try, I know you’re going to love it! Robin
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Looking for more delicious ways to cook mushrooms? Try my savory Mushroom Tart recipe, or use mushrooms to make Vegetarian Tacos! My easy Mushroom Rice recipe is another often-made meal at my house.
Ingredients In Mushroom Orzo
Here’s what you need to make this simple spinach and mushroom pasta:
Orzo: This recipe calls for 2 and a half cups (or 8 ounces) of dried orzo. You’ll find out that orzo doubles in size as it’s cooked – this recipe makes plenty to share! Butter, Oil, Onions, and Garlic: To start this savory pasta sauce, saute onion and garlic in oil and butter. Using both gives us extra flavor. Mushrooms: We’ll saute the mushrooms in butter too so that they are browned and beautiful. I like to use cremini mushrooms, sometimes called Baby Bellas, as they are more flavorful than white mushrooms. Vegetable Stock: Use low-sodium stock or broth to cook with, some brands have a lot of salt in them, and it’s easy to add your own seasonings to taste. I always have some homemade veggie stock in the freezer just for recipes like this one! Feel free to use chicken stock if you aren’t concerned with the final dish being vegetarian. Half and Half: This is what makes the orzo rich and creamy! If you don’t have half and half (or half cream, or single cream, depending on where you live), you can use half heavy cream and half milk, but I don’t suggest using a lower-fat milk, as the sauce won’t be nearly as luscious. Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami richness to this pasta dish. Spinach: Baby spinach leaves will wilt down into the mushroom orzo beautifully. You can also use baby kale if you prefer.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Orzo with Mushrooms and Spinach
Recipe Tips
This recipe works with regular orzo or whole wheat orzo! You can also use gluten-free orzo. Just keep in mind that different types of pasta may require more or less time to cook, so keep an eye on the pan, especially at the end. Add a splash of broth and continue cooking if needed until the pasta is tender. There’s no need to cover the skillet when making this recipe. The orzo will absorb some of the liquid, and the rest will evaporate and thicken to create the sauce. Choose a pan that is large enough to hold everything. I used a 12-inch skillet that is just slightly deeper than a typical frying pan. I cook so many skillet meals and casseroles in this enameled cast iron pan! Be sure to keep the heat to a simmer. Any hotter and you risk the liquid evaporating too fast. You may need to add a splash of liquid at the end to loosen up the sauce. broth, milk, or water will do the trick. Don’t burn the garlic. It only needs about 30 seconds in the hot pan before you stir in the orzo. Burnt garlic isn’t tasty, but very slightly sauteed garlic is! If you want to add meat to this dish, stir in cooked shredded chicken or diced steak at the end, and heat until warmed through.
Storing Tips
Store any leftovers in the fridge, sealed in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days. I love leftovers of mushroom orzo! Simply reheat servings in the microwave and enjoy. If needed, stir in a splash of water to make it saucy and creamy again. Orzo doesn’t freeze well, as the pasta is very small. It absorbs too much liquid when you freeze it and ends up mushy.
What To Serve With creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo
Don’t even worry about side dishes! This is my go-to meal when I want something creamy and satisfying, and I only want to wash one pan. That said, mushroom orzo does go well with baked chicken, grilled steaks, or garlic bread sticks. Enjoy this tasty pasta dish however you like – you really can’t go wrong when you serve this meal. Looking for more recipes that use orzo? Try Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup! My favorite creamy mushroom and spinach orzo is going to be a staple in your dinner rotation! Be sure to pin this easy recipe for the next time you need a meal that’s ready in about 25 minutes. © Little Sunny Kitchen
