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
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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:
Hi Nagi,
This looks amazing! I was just wondering is this something that can be eaten cold too?
Hi Jenny! So glad you like the look of this! 🙂 Unfortunately I have to say, this is not very nice cold 🙂 Just needs a minute in the microwave to warm up! N x
Ran across this recipe on pintrest when I was looking for an easy meal to make with one of my dozens of boxes of orzo (a family fave). This recipe was so simple and perfect! I had every single ingredient on hand. I added chicken to the top and cooked the spinach from frozen with the chicken, and it was a hit! Not to mention it made a leftovers for work tomorrow. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Thank you Katie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for coming back to let me know! N x
Amazing. Was looking to find a quick dinner recipe. I used beef broth instead of chicken and chunks of beef (since I had to use some up) and it turned out A-MA-ZING.
Thanks for trying my recipe Sandra! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for taking the time to let me know! N x
Soooo delicious. I’ll make this often. Although I live alone so I’ll be eating it for a few days. It makes a lot. Yumm. Thanks. Lesley
WOO HOO! So glad you enjoyed this, thanks so much for trying my recipe Lesley! N x
Yum! Now one of my go-to recipes! Can’t wait to try other veggies in it!
Thank you Kelli!! I really like this with zucchini 🙂 It’s delish!
Great recipe! Just made it and instructions where very comprehensable. I added a bit of asparagus cause i had only have the spinach and 3/4 of the quantity of mushrooms requirered. Soooo yummy!!!!
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, thank you!!! 🙂
Thank you for this great recipe. Just made it. Excellent! Do you have any reheating tips? Microwave/Stovetop?I would like to make it in advance, refrigerate, then serve later in the day. Thanks!
Hi Lily! Microwave is best for this 🙂 I’d add a tiny splash of milk to make it saucy again!
Wow! I am so full. It’s so tasty and creamy! I found it took a little longer to cook and I added a bit more water, but that could have been the way I did it or the amount/type of orzo. My 19 month old couldn’t get enough! It’s so great to see a recipe using frozen veg – though I may return to this if I have a glut of chard in the summer!
WOO HOO! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Lizzie, thank you so much for letting me know! 🙂 N x
I actually never use frozen spinach when cooking. I feel in the freezing/thawing process you may lose some of the nutrients but that is only my opinion. Making this for the first time I would like to try fresh spinach and was wondering where you would suggest I add the spinach.
Thanks!
Hi Lynne! For fresh, just stir it through at the end 🙂 It wilts so quickly !
Another keeper! Delicious! Thank you
Thanks so much Kathtrer!
New to the cooking world, and absolutely love your site. Made this over the weekend and it was simply excellent! Keep up the great work Nagi and thanks for the lovely ideas!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this!!!
Love all your recipes! In step 6, was I supposed to change the heat to “low” after getting it to simmer? I ended up with burnt orzo at the bottom of my pan
Hi Lisa! Hmm, I somehow suspect your stove is stronger than mine! Gas? I take it off the stove while it is still sauce so the orzo doesn’t really get “stuck” to the bottom of the pan. Then while resting all the excess liquid gets soaked right up. It sounds to me like your stove is stronger than mine so yes, I think you should turn it down .I will add that tip into the recipe, thank you for your question!
Thanks for the recipe! Had this for dinner with potato crusted salmon and a small ceasar salad. . . no spinach for me 🙂 I made it with almond milk and no one would ever know!! 😉 Very creamy and delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Oooh, this would be wonderful with salmon! 🙂
You need a new title.
THE RECIPE QUEEN
Everything you share, sounds AMAZING
Beet red, blushing, but secretly so happy!! Thanks Mary, you’re so kind! N x
Excellent recipe – simple, tasty, and family-friendly. My boy has asked me to cook this one again, and I might be a little more adventurous about the veg next time. May I ask if you’ve tried any other veg in it?
Francis, that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you and your boy enjoyed it, and thank you so much for coming back to let me know enjoyed it! This is great for tossing in any veggies, just dice / slice them and add them so they don’t get too overcooked! 🙂 N x
Mmm this looks so comforting and delicious. Good tip on the frozen spinach, I will keep that in mind! I usually use fresh spinach but a huge bucket turns into a tiny little bow’s worth after cooking. Frozen spinach is a great idea. Also I love that it’s one-pot! Delicious and easy and not too many dishes = perfect weeknight dinner. Pinned!
I know!! That’s what kills me – an enormous shopping bag filled with spinach wilts down into nothing!! 🙂
This orzo looks delicious, creamy and loaded with spinach…yes, I like the idea of using frozen spinach….much faster and easy. Like that is packed with parmesan and mushrooms…great meal and like that it is only one pot to wash!
Have a great week Nagi 🙂
Thanks Juliana!! Hope you have a great week too – though it’s almost finished now! Yay! N x
Ooh, Nagi – this looks amazing. I think I’m going to make this for dinner tonight!
Thanks Marissa! Love to know what you think!! 🙂 N x
It was as delicious as I had hoped! Had leftovers for lunch today and I instagrammed it last night (just don’t mind my awful phone photo): https://instagram.com/p/3KrBctuDIG/?taken-by=omgfoodblog. My boyfriend was sad that we finished it off today, which means it’ll have to be made again very soon. 🙂
Frozen spinach doesn’t get enough love. I always use it to make spanakopita. One of these days, I’ll make it with fresh spinach, but that just seems like so much WORK.
This looks absolutely wonderful, Nagi! Honestly, I love spinach frozen or fresh but not canned (blech!). This looks like a fab vegetarian meal that would be super satisfying.
Canned spinach? Nooo…..there isn’t such a thing!!
There is, I promise! It’s basically a can of green slime. TMI? 😉
I actually feel ill at the thought….and I like to think I have a cast iron stomach!!!
Hi Nagi! This is definitely on my to do soon list! I always have frozen spinach on hand, it’s just so convenient to add into so many dishes! This is great for a meal, but it would also be a perfect side for steak or lamb chops!
Ooh, I hope you do try it!! I’d love to know what you think 🙂