Here you go! I’ve made dinner easy for you – a Mushroom and Spinach Orzo all made in one pot, packed full of nutrition (A grade nutrition rating) with plenty of creamy sauce but without a single drop of cream!
What’s your position on fresh vs frozen spinach?
I love using fresh spinach in salads. But for dishes like this, when the spinach is cooked down and stirred into things, it just doesn’t make sense to me to use fresh spinach. You’d need at least 5 bunches (probably more!) of fresh spinach to make this. OR 1 box of frozen spinach.
So for cost and efficiency reasons, I use frozen spinach in this. 🙂
Besides, don’t you totally buy into the whole “snap frozen” thing? I know I do!!
So with a box of frozen spinach, mushrooms and a handful of pantry staples, you can get dinner on the table in just over 20 minutes. Seriously! It’s that easy.
Did I mention this Mushroom and Spinach Orzo is all made in one pan? Here it is, straight off the stove.
Oh wait, all those mushrooms are in the way so you can’t see how CREAMY it is! Here, I’ve shoved them out of the way for you so you can see how lovely and saucy it is!
Psst reminder: no cream! No cream!
As with all pastas, the sauce does get sucked into the orzo/risoni pretty quickly. So when it’s ready, holler for your family to get to the table asap so they can eat it while it’s nice and fresh and saucy. (That’s how the Italian mama’s operate. Follow their lead!)
You will be surprised at the nutrition in this. With an entire box of spinach and 600g/20 oz of mushrooms, this has an A- nutrition grade rating (see below for more information). I’ve also provided some tips below for how to pack even more vegetables into this!
Dinner’s up! – Nagi
More risoni / orzo recipes
-
One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo / Risoni Pasta – cosy, saucy one pot chicken and risoni dinner
-
Orzo / Risoni Bolognaise – one pot bolognese pasta dish!
-
Greek Lemon Orzo Salad – a bright fresh pasta salad loaded with Greek flavours
-
Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal) – tastes like risotto, except MUCH faster to make!
-
Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (Risoni) – Greek chicken AND orzo made in one pot!
-
One Pot Creamy Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni) – creamy chicken and vegetable orzo, a quick 20 minute meal
-
Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo / Risoni – a wonderful quick side dish
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot)
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
- Heat the olive oil in a large non stick pan over high heat (if you aren't using non stick, use more oil).
- Add the mushrooms and cook until softened (around 3 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.
- 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.
- Add the flour, stir it in and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the milk and chicken broth and use a whisk to mix the butter flour mixture into the liquid.
- 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).
- While the orzo is cooking, break up the spinach into little pieces with your fingers.
- Remove the pan from the stove. Stir through the parmesan, spinach and cooked mushrooms. Check if more salt or pepper is required.
- Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and fresh finely chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Creamy without a drop of dream??!!!???!!! That got me curious and yes, got the answer finally 😀 I first drool over the pix for some time before going thru the recipe.. This looks perfect for a balanced diet..
Thanks so much Fareeha!! 🙂
Nagi you had me at ‘one pot’! I’m with you on the frozen spinach. After messing about with mountains of fresh spinach waiting for it to wilt down I learnt my lesson couple years ago. Fresh has a place on my salad plate but otherwise I use frozen if its going to be cooked. Great recipe!
Mmm – that should be “Another winner” – look before posting Rachel!
My chubby fingers ALWAYS do typos 🙂
An winner Nagi – going to stop at the mushroom farm on the way home:-)
Oooh, looking forward to seeing what you come up with!! 🙂
I never use frozen spinach and I’m always fiddling with washing bag after bag of it and then spinning it dry. I’m an idiot – you’re so right! This looks so good, Nagi!
Usually when I read the words “without a single drop of cream” I think “Not for me then!” but this recipe is an exception, it looks so saucy, shiny and creamy that it makes my mouth water!
I never ever use frozen spinach although I really can’t tell you why because I actually don’t know! Habit, I suppose. 🙂
Totally get that!! I think it’s the same with me for cream – I grew up being told cream is not for day to day cooking so I automatically default to a roux type base! 🙂
I always use fresh veggies, except for when it comes to spinach. It really depends on what I’m make, as to which I’ll use. But I’ve found frozen spinach to work better than fresh, in some applications.
I just love your cream ‘no cream’ dishes, Nagi! That means I can eat more, right? 😉 Definitely another dish of yours I’m going to try – mushroom dishes are one of my favorites!
I totally agree! I mean, salads, stir fries, things like that – impossible to get away with frozen. But for things like this when you just want to stir some through, it’s so much easier!! N x
Love this, love cooking with orzo, it’s so easy and quick. Great flavor combo too. 🙂
Carbs + Parm + Garlic + Cream Sauce + anything else – hard to go wrong, hmm?? 😉 Oops, wait. Missing BACON!!!
This is meat-free dish that will leave me feeling satisfied. Mushrooms always fool me into thinking I’m eating something substantial and I don’t miss the meat. I love the easy cleanup of this dish too!
I couldn’t agree more!! I have weird standards when it comes to Meat Free meals…..I’m such a carnivore, I usually need a bit of meat…of bacon….or egg….something! But with mushrooms, it’s enough. 🙂 We’re on the same page Thao! N x
Oooooh … I’m feeling quite hungry right now, and a big bowl of this would be just the biz. It’s oozy and comforting, but seems like an all-year-round sort of meal (well, at least over here where it rarely gets all that hot!) Especially love that it’s a one-pot dish!
No form of pasta is seasonal. At least, in my books! I eat it all year round!! N x
Nagi I love this!!!! I used to make a super creamy spinach and caprese orzo with tons of cheese and heavy cream. And then I lightened it up with mostly chicken stock and some Parm… Love that you lightened this up too! Hubs is a huge fan of shrooms so he would be all over this!
Mila, it is 6.43 am here in Sydney and all I want for breakfast is YOUR CAPRESE ORZO!!! Jeez….what are you doing to me? 😉 N x
Hahaha yes yes this is what happens to all my friends 😉
Thank you! Ready to make this dish!
Oooh!! Hope you love it!! Had it again for dinner last night! 🙂 N x
I use frozen spinach all the time and it works perfect! Such a wonderful rush, looks creamy and delicious! Pinning!
Thanks so much Mira! Glad to hear it’s not just me that uses frozen spinach all the time! 🙂
I’m not able to eat mushrooms, but if I could add in a different veggie, this would be divine for me. 🙂
Sorry to hear that Krista! Hmmm….trying to think of the best substitute…oh! I know! How about zucchinis? They have a similar texture!! 🙂
Nagi, I use frozen fruit and veg very often, especially for hot recipes, nothing wrong with that! x
Thanks Mariana! I use frozen berries quite often too. Berries are very expensive in Australia most of the year! N x