This easy pasta dish is the ideal weeknight dinner solution, coming together quickly in one pot with delicious umami flavor.
This mushroom orzo makes an irresistibly flavorful vegetarian entree! Serve it alongside crispy fried shallots or bacon for added crunch!
Garlic
Garlic, an Allium species, is a key component of many recipes and an indispensable addition to our meals. The cloves from this perennial plant can be used whole, chopped or crushed for adding flavour and fragrance. In addition, garlic has long been revered for its medicinal benefits as its allicin content aids detoxification while decreasing cholesterol levels in bloodstreams.
In this recipe, sherry and thyme are used to give the dish an extra kick and bring out its flavors. We start by sauteing mushrooms in garlic before adding sherry and thyme; this step adds additional dimension and depth of flavour for this hearty mushroom orzo dish.
To make this one-pot meal even more satiating, I added Parmesan Cheese and Baby Spinach for extra satisfying flavour. Parmesan imparts its salty umami richness while baby spinach will help soften down and fill you up.
This meal makes an excellent main or side dish to pair with chicken, fish, steak or roasted vegetables – or add an impressive leafy salad for extra variety!
For this recipe, I have used orzo/risoni, but you could easily substitute with any small-shaped pasta such as orecchiette, ditalini or stelline. Additionally, you could swap out sherry for any white wine available or leave it completely.
My mushroom and orzo mixture has been given an authentic Italian flare with salt, pepper and some thyme added for good measure. Thyme also boasts antiviral and antibacterial properties to boost immunity while providing additional immune system support.
Once our mushroom and orzo mixture is finished cooking, we can start assembling our dish. First, heat up a skillet or pot over medium-high heat and melt two or three tablespoons of butter; once heated add chopped onions and sliced mushrooms. Continue stirring occasionally until they become tender and start to turn golden-brown in color.
Add sherry and thyme, then stock. Stir in orzo before simmering the entire mixture together for several minutes – taste and adjust seasoning as necessary with salt or pepper.
Mushrooms
If you’re craving something hearty and comforting, mushroom orzo may just be the solution! Loaded with mushrooms and garlic for maximum umami flavor and finished off with creamy mascarpone cheese for an added oomph, all in just one pot so that meal time comes much faster!
Orzo pasta resembles small grains of rice and makes for an excellent base in soups, salads and casseroles. It cooks quickly and can also be prepared like risotto using liquid. In this recipe the orzo is first toasted before being added to vegetable broth to simulate that creamy risotto texture without all of the stirring required over high heat for hours on end.
Start off this dish by sauteeing onions and garlic in some butter, giving the onions time to caramelize for an added sweet note. Next up are mushrooms; for optimal results brown them first for a delicious earthy flavor!
Once the mushrooms are softened, add sherry and thyme to give your sauce an additional punch of flavor while also providing some acidity that balances out the richness of mascarpone cheese. After that, combine orzo with chicken broth for simmering until orzo becomes tender.
Now is the time to taste and adjust any seasonings as necessary. I usually add extra salt and pepper, while sometimes switching out some of the chicken broth with water to lighten up my dish a bit more. Once your dish has reached perfection, serve topped with parmesan cheese!
This dish makes an ideal side for turkey, or any type of protein; in fact, you could top it off with grilled chicken for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! Plus it’s healthy too: mushrooms and vegetables fill you up while sherry, thyme and lemon bring out its flavors while adding brightness.
Parmesan
Parmesan adds salty, umami richness to this creamy mushroom orzo recipe in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners! Additionally, this vegetarian-friendly meal makes an easy weeknight dinner solution. To add heartier appeal, stir in cooked shredded chicken or diced steak when heating – simply heat until warm throughout!
This recipe is an ideal way to utilize leftovers from the refrigerator. Take for instance a pot of soup you have sitting around, add fresh chopped thyme and grated parmesan and you have yourself an irresistibly tasty salad! Use as the foundation of adding other favorite vegetables, meat or dairy (such as tofu feta or crumbled cashews ). Try topping this creamy mushroom orzo dish off with tomatoes, bell peppers and pitted olives for a Mediterranean spin, or use artichoke hearts drained of their water for an irresistibly seafood version!
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute garlic briefly before adding mushrooms; saute for 3-4 minutes or until their juices release and they begin to caramelize a little before removing from the heat and draining any extra liquid that has accumulated at the bottom of the pan.
Turn up the heat slightly and add milk and butter; whisk to combine before reducing to simmer. Mix in orzo, salt and pepper according to taste; if necessary add additional milk or broth until all pasta has been covered by liquid. Continue stirring regularly until orzo is tender and most of it has been absorbed.
Once your orzo has been cooked through, remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and baby spinach leaves immediately prior to serving your dish – otherwise the spinach may wilt quickly! Stir the mixture until everything is evenly distributed before plating immediately for optimal results.
Ingredients in this one-pot dish are easy and convenient, making it the perfect weeknight dinner recipe. Creamy mushroom orzo is sure to become a family favorite and makes a fast yet comforting dinner option when time is short! Pair it with white fish, steak, or chicken as part of a delicious main course, or garnish it with crispy fried shallots and bacon for an added indulgent touch!
Spinach
Mushroom Orzo will quickly become your go-to side dish! Packed with meaty baby bella mushrooms and earthy shiitakes for earthiness, garlic and thyme give this creamy white wine sauce its unique flair – the ideal solution for busy weeknight dinner or lunch preparation!
Orzo pasta resembles rice but cooks up much quicker and simpler, making it the ideal substitute in creamy dishes such as soup. As it absorbs liquid well and gives your dish a creamier texture than regular or gluten-free varieties do, orzo makes for an easy change without losing its creamy consistency. Use regular or gluten-free orzo depending on what is on hand; use either cashew cream, vegan creamer, full fat coconut milk – whatever works! The key is adding it while the mixture is hot so it blends properly without clumping or clumping together.
Simmering mushrooms in some butter before adding sherry and other ingredients is an effective way to remove any extra juices that would make the dish too soupy and thin, while browning the mushrooms further for more flavor. Cutting into even pieces helps ensure all mushrooms cook at an equal rate, preventing undercooked ones that clump together or burn quickly.
Throwing wilted spinach in the sauce is an easy and delicious way to add even more flavor and color. Roasted cherry tomatoes add the perfect finishing touch – they add sweet, tangy bite that goes great with salty Parmesan in orzo dishes!
This delicious weeknight-friendly pasta dish is simple to make and everyone will adore. While vegetarian or vegan, you can easily turn this vegetarian or vegan dish into a heartier meal by adding chicken, shrimp or Italian sausage. Perfect for serving at potlucks and family events; take this flavor-packed orzo dish along as it keeps well in both fridge and freezer!