Description
Creamy spinach mushroom orzo brings Mediterranean comfort to your plate, blending earthy mushrooms with tender pasta. Delicate herbal notes and rich textures invite you to savor each comforting bite of this simple yet elegant Italian-inspired dish.
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
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Cooking Fat:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook orzo until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Carefully drain the pasta and reserve for subsequent steps.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high temperature. Introduce sliced mushrooms, allowing them to caramelize and develop rich golden-brown edges, stirring intermittently for 6-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and incorporate minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for roughly 60-90 seconds. Gently fold in fresh baby spinach leaves, watching them gracefully wilt and collapse into the mixture.
- Transfer drained orzo directly into the skillet, creating a harmonious blend of pasta, earthy mushrooms, and verdant spinach. Thoroughly integrate ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Remove skillet from heat source and generously dust with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Delicately season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to elevate the dish’s overall taste profile.
- Optional: Enhance visual appeal and introduce mild heat by sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes and freshly chopped parsley across the surface. Serve immediately while ingredients maintain optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium broth or vegetable stock to control salt levels and enhance health-conscious cooking.
- Swap traditional Parmesan for nutritional yeast to create a delightful vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, savory flavor profiles.
- Toast orzo briefly in olive oil before adding liquid to develop a nutty, deeper taste and improve overall texture of the dish.
- Use fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for more intense umami notes and enhanced nutritional benefits compared to standard white button varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg