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

 

An easy, one-pot dinner perfect for midweek! This Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo is rich and flavorful, made without any cream. It boasts a nutrition grade rating of A- and can be even more nutritious by adding extra veggies!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1.2 lb / 600g mushrooms, sliced (button mushrooms recommended)

Orzo / Risoni:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups / 375 ml low-fat milk
• 3 cups / 750 ml chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni, uncooked (Note 1)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Black pepper to taste
• 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

1. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat (use more oil if not using non-stick).
2. Add the sliced 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. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
5. Gradually add the milk and chicken broth, whisking to combine with the butter-flour mixture.
6. Increase heat to medium-high, add the orzo/risoni, salt, and pepper. Stir, then cover the pan with a lid (Note 2). Bring to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked but still slightly firm and saucy.
7. While the orzo is cooking, break up the spinach into small pieces with your fingers.
8. Remove the pan from the stove. Stir in the parmesan cheese, spinach, and cooked mushrooms. Adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Recipe Notes:

1. Orzo/risoni is a rice-shaped pasta found in the pasta section of supermarkets.
2. Use a pot lid, baking tray, or any larger lid if your pan doesn't have one.
3. For more servings, add extra veggies like more mushrooms or a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 601g

• Calories: 542 kcal (27% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 67.9g (23% DV)
• Protein: 27.3g (55% DV)
• Fat: 19.2g (30% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (56% DV)
• Cholesterol: 37mg (12% DV)
• Sodium: 1172mg (51% DV)
• Potassium: 1024mg (29% DV)
• Fiber: 5.7g (24% DV)
• Sugar: 12g (13% DV)
• Vitamin A: 6400IU (128% DV)
• Vitamin C: 33mg (40% DV)
• Calcium: 330mg (33% DV)
• Iron: 8.8mg (49% DV)