Prepare a rich and creamy mushroom orzo dish entirely in one pot for simple cleanup. This recipe uses garlic and thyme to complement the savory mushrooms.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and begin to brown, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and dried thyme to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Pour in the white wine, if using, and let it cook down until nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.
Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, butter, and heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to your preference. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For maximum creaminess without heavy cream, use 1/2 cup of full-fat coconut milk or 1/4 cup of cream cheese stirred in at the end.
Stirring often during the cooking process helps release the starch from the orzo, which creates a natural creamy sauce.
If the dish thickens too much while resting, add a splash of hot water or broth to reach your desired consistency.