Description
A hearty one-pot vegetarian meal featuring tender orzo pasta, earthy mushrooms, and fresh spinach in a savory broth. Finished with aromatic herbs and melted cheese, this skillet dish offers comfort food appeal with nutritious ingredients for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Once the orzo is cooked, fold in the fresh spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and basil before serving.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding white beans or chickpeas.
- You can substitute different greens such as baby kale or arugula for the spinach.
- The dish is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute nutritional yeast for the Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: orzo pasta, mushroom spinach pasta, one-pot meal, vegetarian dinner, creamy orzo, quick dinner recipe, herb pasta recipe, cheese pasta, healthy pasta dish