Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo (30 Minutes, ONE-PAN) (2024)

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Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Orzo is a quick and easy Italian-inspired pasta dish made in just 30 minutes entirely in one pan! It's just like risotto but so much simpler! Serve it as a meatless main dish or a side dish with chicken or shrimp.

30-minute one-pan creamy orzo

The one-pot dinners are the best, especially when they are as flavorful as this creamy orzo with spinach and mushrooms. There is so much flavor thanks to the generous amounts of minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and salt! Everything is made from scratch using fresh ingredients. It is an impressive restaurant-quality weeknight dinner that can be on the table in 30 minutes! It makes a satisfying meatless main course or a side dish for your favorite proteins. For more 30-minute one-pan dinner inspiration, check out my сhicken orzo or the reader-favorite sausage gnocchi.

Ingredients

• Orzo. Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta. Gluten-free orzo is available as well.
• Spinach. I used fresh spinach and wilted it right in the sauce. You can also use frozen spinach - thawed and drained of any liquid. Or, use kale instead.
• Mushrooms. I used fresh baby bella mushrooms. Other good options are crimini, white mushrooms, portobello, or shiitake.
• Heavy cream provides the desired creaminess. You can also use half-and-half.
• Olive oil is used for sauteeing mushrooms.
• Chicken broth is used to cook the orzo. You can also use vegetable or beef broth (or stock). Or, even water if don't have chicken stock available.
• Italian seasoning adds a ton of flavor to this dish.
• Smoked paprika adds color and so much flavor to the creamy orzo.
• Garlic. I used fresh minced garlic. It adds aroma and pungency to any dish.
• Salt and pepper. Use those to taste. I recommend using freshly ground or coarse black pepper.
• Red pepper flakes will add heat. Use these sparingly to taste so that they don't overwhelm the dish.

Cooking tips

• Stir orzo often when you cook it in a chicken broth; otherwise, it might stick to the bottom of the cooking pan.
• The sauce will thicken as the creamy orzo cools. In this case, add a splash of extra heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or chicken broth to thin it out before serving.
• Use a high-sided, heavy-bottomed cooking pan such as a cast-iron skillet or a good-quality stainless steel pan. This will help avoid the burn spots and ensure even cooking without the orzo getting stuck to the bottom of the pan.

How to make it gluten-free

Gluten-free orzo is available online or in some grocery stores. Just make sure to check the label. You can also use jasmine or basmati rice. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

How to make it dairy-free

Use unsweetened coconut milk, oat, or almond milk instead of cream.

Storage and reheating tips

• Fridge. Store spinach and mushroom orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Freezer. I don't recommend freezing this, as cream-based sauces tend to separate once you thaw them.
• Reheat on the stovetop. I recommend reheating this creamy orzo on the stovetop for the best results. After being refrigerated, the creamy orzo sauce will thicken. Reheat it slowly, over low-medium heat in a high-sided skillet on the stovetop. Do not overheat - or the sauce will separate and turn greasy. When using this method, add a small amount of heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or broth to thin out the sauce when reheating.

Variations, substitutions, and add-ins

• Veggies. Add your favorite veggies. My favorites are arugula, kale, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers (in addition to spinach and mushrooms).
• Heavy cream or half-and-half - either works fine.
• Sprinkle with freshly grated cheese: Parmesan, Asiago, Gruyere, or Pecorino Romano.
• Add other toppings, such as fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or oregano), chopped green onions, or chopped chives.
• Make it spicy.Red pepper flakes will add heat and flavor! Use these sparingly to taste so that they don't overwhelm the dish.

Add protein

While creamy spinach and mushroom orzo is perfectly delicious as is, you can elevate it and turn it into a complete meal by adding your favorite protein. My recommendations are below. Please share your favorite protein recommendations with me in the comments!

• Cooked meatsinclude seared chicken, cooked rotisserie chicken, grilled steak, or pan-seared steak strips.
• Seafood, such as shrimp, scallops, lobster meat, crab meat, or salmon.

My favorite ways to cook protein

Below are simple yet flavorful recipes to quickly turn any chicken, shrimp, salmon, trout, or steak into something tasty in 30 minutes or less, using only one pan. All of these will make a great addition to creamy orzo:

• Cajun Chicken with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce​
• ​Shrimp Scampi​
• ​Cilantro Lime Shrimp​
• ​Garlic Butter Steak with Roasted Veggies​
• Garlic Parmesan Crusted Baked Salmon and Asparagus​
• Pan-Seared Trout (or Salmon) with Garlic Lemon Butter Herb Sauce​
• Seared Scallops with Creamy Lemon-Caper Sauce​
• Simple-cooked Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs

Other orzo recipes you might like

• Creamy Shrimp Orzo with Spinach, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Chicken Orzo with Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach, and Basil Pesto
• Greek Shrimp Orzo with Tomatoes and Feta
• Lemon Shrimp Orzo with Asparagus
• Creamy Chicken Orzo with Butternut Squash and Spinach
• Italian Sausage Orzo Soup with Spinach and Portobello Mushrooms
• Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Sausage