Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked orzo
- 3 tablespoons butter
divided
- 1 pound mixed mushrooms
sliced, I used half baby bella, half shiitake
- 1 large shallot
minced
- 5 large garlic cloves
minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 1 ounce freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup loosely-packed chopped fresh basil
- zest and juice of 1 small lemon
optional
Directions
- 1
Heat the water for the orzo. Bring a large saucepan full of generously-salted water to a boil.
- 2
Brown the mushrooms. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add half of the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring and flipping every few minutes, until browned. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to clean plate. Repeat with an additional 1 tablespoon butter and the remaining mushrooms, then transfer the mushrooms to the plate.
- 3
Cook the orzo. Add the orzo to the boiling water and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente.
- 4
Sauté the veggies. While the orzo cooks, add the remaining butter to the sauté pan along with the shallot, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the cooked mushrooms, heavy cream, a generous pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. (If the pasta isn’t quite ready at this point, remove the pan from the heat. Otherwise, continue on.)
- 5
Combine. Once the pasta is ready, transfer it to the sauté pan along with 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente.
- 6
Finish. Remove pan from heat. Add in the Parmesan, spinach, basil, lemon zest and juice (if using), and stir gently until the spinach has wilted. If the pasta seems too dry, add some of the reserved starchy pasta water. Taste and season with salt, pepper and/or extra lemon juice if needed.
- 7
Serve. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan, and enjoy!
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 11 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a deeply comforting and irresistibly delicious pasta dish that's simple to whip up any night of the week? This Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo recipe delivers on all fronts, promising a truly satisfying meal that feels special.
What makes this dish so remarkable is the synergy of savory ingredients. The rich flavor developed from sautéed mixed mushrooms and aromatic garlic and shallots forms the heart of a luxurious sauce. Combined with the silky texture of heavy cream, it creates a comforting embrace around every small grain of orzo.
Prepare for a wonderfully rich and savory experience. Each bite of this orzo pasta offers a velvety texture, perfectly complemented by tender, earthy mushrooms. You'll taste the warmth of garlic, a subtle hint of spice from red pepper flakes, and the bright, fresh notes of basil and spinach cutting through the richness. The optional lemon zest and juice add a lovely pop of brightness, elevating the dish from merely comforting to truly vibrant and balanced. It's a comforting classic that feels both elegant and approachable.
Feel free to experiment with your mushroom selection; while baby bella and shiitake offer a fantastic base, cremini or oyster mushrooms would also be delightful. For an extra kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes, or omit them entirely if you prefer no heat. The optional lemon zest and juice add a refreshing lift; if you don't have a fresh lemon, a tiny splash of white wine vinegar can offer a similar brightness. This dish is naturally vegetarian, but you could easily add cooked chicken, shrimp, or baked tofu for an extra protein boost.
This creamy orzo is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, a comforting meal on a chilly evening, or a lovely vegetarian option when entertaining. Serve it as a stand-alone main course, perhaps alongside a simple green salad to complete the meal.