Mushroom Orzo

Name: Mushroom Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8oz / 225g orzo pasta; 8oz / 225g cremini mushrooms; 1oz / 25g dried shiitake mushrooms or 4.5oz / 125g fresh; 1 small onion; 4 garlic cloves; 3 cups vegetable broth - I’ve used low sodium; ¾ cup milk of choice - I've used unsweetened soy milk; 2oz / 55g freshly grated parmesan cheese - or vegan parm; 2.5 cups baby spinach; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; Salt and black pepper to taste

JUMP TO RECIPE

This one pan Mushroom Orzo makes the perfect easy dinner made in 20 minutes. Its creamy and delicious, full of umami flavor, and made healthier without any heavy cream 😊

Close up of spoon in a pan of mushroom orzo

If you've been here a while, you'll know I absolutely love orzo pasta and use it in many of my recipes. I always have a few boxes in my pantry at all times hehe. I also have a slight obsession with mushrooms and add them to many dishes as a meat substitute, since I don't eat meat and they have the perfect texture. So I thought, why not combine two of my favorite ingredients into one with this creamy mushroom orzo pasta!

This mushroom orzo is made in the one pan which not only saves on dishes, which is a bonus itself, but it adds to the creamy consistency. The orzo is cooked in a broth similar to how a risotto is made, but much easier and faster as it's cooked in 20 minutes. I've also added two different types of mushrooms which are full of umami flavor and bring so much depth to this dish. Some favorite mushroom dishes I've shared are my stuffed mushrooms, vegan fried chicken and dumpling soup.

Now many orzo recipes include heavy cream…which I'm not a fan of. By simmering the pasta in the broth, the starch is released into the sauce which adds so much creaminess. I also add freshly grated parmesan along with milk, (I prefer dairy-free) and these both bring a ton of creaminess, without any cream 😊. I've shared this same technique with my creamy orzo pasta and lemon orzo.

Orzo is also known as risoni in many countries, whilst it looks like rice grains its actually a small pasta shape from semolina durum wheat. Its considered a pastina shape, which translates to tiny pasta in Italian, so it's commonly added to soups and stews such as my Italian pastina and minestrone soup .

You can even use it to make pasta salads like my Greek orzo salad and classic orzo salad. The list goes on….what can't orzo be added to should be the question hehe 😉

Table of Contents

What makes this recipe special
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make Mushroom Orzo
Tips and Tricks
Storage Instructions
FAQs
More Orzo Recipes
More Mushroom Recipes
Recipe
Comments

One pan mushroom orzo with topped with parmesan cheese

What makes this recipe special

Quick & Easy: Cooked in 20 minutes with easy steps anyone can follow
Crazy Delicious: Packed with umami flavor and a delicious creamy consistency
One-Pot Wonder: All cooked in the one pan which means easy cleanup
Versatile: Perfect as a side dish or a vegetarian main course, this pasta dish ticks all the boxes

Mushroom orzo served in a bowl with black pepper

Ingredients and Substitutions

Orzo pasta is the star! Whilst it looks like rice grains, it's actually made from semolina durum wheat. You can substitute with gluten-free orzo if needed
Shiitake mushrooms (dried or fresh) intensify the mushroom flavor and give an umami boost
Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bella mushrooms, add a rich, creamy earthy flavor. White button mushrooms work well too
Yellow onion or white onions are preferred as they're much milder in taste
Garlic cloves add so much depth to the mushrooms and are the perfect pair
Vegetable broth - I always prefer low sodium to enhance the base flavor. Chicken broth works if you’re not vegetarian
Milk of choice adds to the creaminess, today I've added dairy free soy milk. Regular milk or almond milk can be added, ensure its unsweetened
Parmesan cheese aka Parmigiano Reggiano adds a yummy cheesy and creamy addition. You can substitute with vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast which will make the dish fully vegan
Baby spinach adds color and nutrients. Kale, swiss chard, asparagus, broccoli or green peas can be swapped in
Extra virgin olive oil is for sautéing the mushrooms and is always my preference, but butter will also work, but will make it more heavy

How to make Mushroom Orzo

This mushroom orzo makes the perfect easy dinner and is packed of flavor. Follow my simple steps below (note quantities are found in the recipe card below)

Shiitake mushrooms being soaked in water

If using dried shiitake mushrooms, place in a bowl and cover with water to hydrate them. Place another bowl or plate on top to ensure they’re submerged. Soak for at least 1 hour

Dice the onion and garlic, chop up the spinach and slice the mushrooms

In a large pan, saute onion in olive oil over medium heat

Once onions are translucent, add garlic and the mushrooms. Saute for 3-5 minutes

Orzo pasta added to mushrooms and onions

When mushrooms have browned, season with salt and pepper and remove half on the side for now. Add the orzo pasta and toast for 1 minute

Add the vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper and simmer with the lid on over low heat until al dente (~7 minutes)

Cheese, spinach and mushrooms added in pan

Add reserved mushrooms, milk, spinach and grated parmesan. Stir through

Final one pan of creamy mushroom orzo pasta

Cook until the spinach has wilted and you have a creamy consistency. Its ready to serve, enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

If using dried shiitake mushrooms, it's best to hydrate them in a bowl of cold water to retain its flavor. Hot water can be used to reduce the soaking time, but its known to dull the flavor down
Ensure to sauté mushrooms over medium-high heat for a golden, caramelized finish and only season with salt when they have browned
Only add the spinach at the end to retain its vibrant green color
Always use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best taste rather than pre-grated cheese
Garnish with chopped parsley, red pepper flakes or lemon zest for a fresh finish

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheat in a skillet or pot with a splash of liquid (water, broth or milk) to prevent drying out. The microwave will work but you will lose the creaminess
Freeze leftovers in an air tight container in the freezer for 1 month. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as per above

Close up of spoon with creamy mushroom orzo

FAQs

What is orzo made of?

Whilst it looks like rice grains, orzo is actually pasta made from semolina durum wheat. It can also come in wholewheat or gluten-free

Why is orzo different from pasta?

Orzo is a small pasta shape, known as a variety of pastina. It cooks fairly quickly and can be cooked in the broth similar to risotto and usually added to soups and stews such as my Italian pastina and minestrone soup

Can I add protein to this dish?

Yes of course! Add a can of legumes such as chickpeas or cannellini beans, crispy tofu, grilled chicken, air fryer salmon or shrimp on the side

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Whilst best enjoyed fresh for the ultimate creaminess, you can prepare it earlier and reheat it with a splash of broth, milk or water to restore the creamy texture