Description
Creamy spinach mushroom orzo brings Mediterranean comfort to your plate, blending earthy mushrooms with tender pasta. Rustic ingredients dance together, creating a simple yet luxurious meal that will transport you to a sunny Italian kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 g) orzo pasta
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or your choice)
- 3 cups (90 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk or cream
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet by melting olive oil and butter together over moderate heat, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Introduce finely diced onions to the pan, gently sweating them until they become translucent and tender, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Infuse the mixture with minced garlic, stirring quickly to awaken its aromatic essence without burning.
- Incorporate sliced mushrooms into the skillet, allowing them to slowly caramelize and develop a rich, deep golden color while releasing their natural moisture.
- Continue cooking the mushrooms, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning and concentrate their earthy flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose fresh, firm mushrooms for the best texture and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper caramelization.
- Experiment with different mushroom varieties like shiitake or cremini to add depth and complexity to the dish’s flavor profile.
- For a lighter version, substitute butter with olive oil or use a plant-based alternative to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Toast the orzo in the pan briefly before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping during cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg