Creamy Mushroom Spinach Orzo
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Side Dish
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Cuisine
Vegetarian
Creamy Mushroom Spinach Orzo
Description
This Creamy Mushroom Spinach Orzo starts with cooking orzo pasta until tender. Mushrooms and shallots are sautéed until soft, then garlic and thyme are added for aromatic flavor. A roux is created by adding flour, then vegetable broth is incorporated to form a base sauce. Half-and-half and Parmesan cheese finish the sauce, creating smooth creaminess and savory depth.
The addition of fresh spinach at the end wilts gently into the warm pasta and sauce, lending color and a subtle vegetal freshness. The dish balances creamy textures, mild herbal notes, and earthy mushrooms.
This recipe serves well as a side dish alongside meat or fish, or as a standalone light vegetarian meal. It is best served immediately to enjoy the delicate wilted spinach and creamy sauce at their freshest.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 1 shallot minced
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tablespoon thyme fresh leaves
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth low sodium
- ½ cup half and half
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 3 cups spinach baby, shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallot, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in vegetable broth, and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in half and half and Parmesan, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir in orzo and spinach until the spinach has wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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