Description
Comfort meets elegance in this spinach mushroom orzo, where Mediterranean flavors dance on your palate. Earthy mushrooms and tender spinach nestle into creamy pasta, creating a delightful dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (90 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or your choice)
- 1 cup (200 g) orzo pasta
- 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk or cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: Melt olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat, creating a rich, flavorful base for the dish.
- Onion Transformation: Introduce chopped onions to the pan, gently cooking them until they become translucent and tender, developing a sweet, mellow flavor profile.
- Aromatic Infusion: Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its intense essence to permeate the mixture and elevate the overall sensory experience.
- Mushroom Mastery: Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, carefully browning them until they release their natural moisture and caramelize to a golden-brown perfection, intensifying their earthy characteristics.
Notes
- Pat mushrooms dry before cooking to prevent excess water and ensure proper caramelization and golden-brown edges.
- Sauté onions first until translucent, then add garlic briefly to prevent burning and maximize aromatic depth.
- Mushrooms need enough time to release water and develop rich, golden color without becoming rubbery or overcooked.
- Choose fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for better texture and more intense umami flavor in the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg