Description
Spinach Mushroom Orzo is a flavorful, quick, and nutritious dish that combines tender orzo pasta with earthy mushrooms, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a light dinner or as a side dish to complement a larger meal. With just a few ingredients, it’s a comforting and satisfying recipe everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo
Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. - Sauté the Mushrooms
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to brown and release their moisture. - Add Garlic
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. - Wilt the Spinach
Stir in the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. The spinach will shrink as it cooks, so don’t worry if it looks like a lot at first. - Combine with Orzo
Add the cooked orzo pasta to the skillet with the mushrooms and spinach. Toss everything together until well combined. - Finish the Dish
Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the orzo mixture. Toss again to melt the cheese into the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. - Garnish and Serve
Garnish with red pepper flakes and chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Add Protein: For a more filling dish, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or a fried egg on top.
- Make it Creamy: For a creamier version, stir in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or cream cheese when adding the Parmesan cheese.
- Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach works best for this recipe, but you can substitute with frozen spinach if needed. Just make sure to thaw and drain it well.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Make Ahead: You can cook the orzo and vegetables ahead of time, then combine and heat just before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 10mg