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Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot)

An easy dinner for midweek all made in one pot. Super creamy but made without a single drop of cream! Nutrition grade rating of A-. Make it even more nutritious by adding more vegetables!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 542 kcal
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.2 lb / 600g mushrooms , sliced (I used button mushrooms)
Orzo / Risoni
  • 3 tbsp butter, unsalted
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 small onion , finely diced
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 1 1/2 cups / 375 ml milk (I used low fat)
  • 3 cups / 750 ml chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni, uncooked (Note 1)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • black pepper
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese , grated
  • 8 oz / 250g frozen spinach (1 box), thawed, excess water squeezed out
Garnish (optional)
  • Extra parmesan cheese
  • finely chopped parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large non stick pan over high heat (if you aren't using non stick, use more oil).
  2. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened (around 3 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the pan. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent - around 3 minutes.
  4. Add the flour, stir it in and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add the milk and chicken broth and use a whisk to mix the butter flour mixture into the liquid.
  6. Increase heat to medium high. Add the orzo/risoni, salt and pepper, stir once, then put a lid on (Note 2). Bring it to a simmer, then leave it to cook for around 8 to 10 minutes or until the orzo/risoni is cooked but still slightly firm, and it is still quite saucy. Note: If you have a strong stove, turn it down slightly so it just simmers).
  7. While the orzo is cooking, break up the spinach into little pieces with your fingers.
  8. Remove the pan from the stove. Stir through the parmesan, spinach and cooked mushrooms. Check if more salt or pepper is required.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and fresh finely chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Orzo / risoni is a pasta that is in the shape of rice and can be found in the pasta section of supermarkets. It costs around the same as ordinary pasta.
  • If you don't have a lid for your fry pan (which I don't), use the lid of a pot larger than the pan or a large baking tray.
  •  Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings. Tip: The calories can be reduced by increasing the amount of vegetables in this. Either add more mushrooms, or other vegetables (even the frozen bags of chopped vegetables - heated through - will work). That will fill this out so it will serve more people. 1 1/2 cups of extra cooked mushrooms / spinach will stretch this out to serve 5 and will reduce the calories by about 100 calories per serving down to around 440 calories per serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 601g Calories 542cal (27%) Carbohydrates 67.9g (23%) Protein 27.3g (55%) Fat 19.2g (30%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 37mg (12%) Sodium 1172mg (49%) Potassium 1024mg (29%) Fiber 5.7g (23%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 6400IU (128%) Vitamin C 33mg (37%) Calcium 330mg (33%) Iron 8.8mg (49%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 542

% Daily Value*

Serving 601g
Calories 542cal 27%
Carbohydrates 67.9g 23%
Protein 27.3g 55%
Fat 19.2g 30%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 1172mg 49%
Potassium 1024mg 22%
Fiber 5.7g 23%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 6400IU 128%
Vitamin C 33mg 37%
Calcium 330mg 33%
Iron 8.8mg 49%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.