Description
A quick and flavorful dish featuring orzo pasta, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh spinach in a rich garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Start by boiling a pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add the orzo pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. After cooking, drain the orzo and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté them for about 5 minutes, or until they become tender. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
- After the mushrooms are nicely browned, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
- Next, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts down and is vibrant green.
- Now, pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for about 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Add the cooked orzo pasta to the skillet, along with the unsalted butter. Stir everything together until the butter melts and coats the orzo evenly.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Mix well, allowing the creamy cheese to combine with the other ingredients.
- Season the dish with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs, if using. Adjust these seasonings to your taste.
- Finally, garnish your dish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. This adds a lovely color and a hint of freshness.
Notes
Avoid overcooking the pasta and choose fresh spinach for the best texture. Serve immediately for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg