Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo Recipe
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Orzo is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta cooked in a savory garlic and mushroom sauce, enriched with creamy Parmesan and a hint of fresh herbs. Perfect as a main or a side, this recipe combines the earthiness of mushrooms with smooth, luscious cream for a delightful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish or Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Mushrooms & Garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz (340g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp fresh thyme
Orzo
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: drizzle of truffle oil
Instructions
- Sauté Mushrooms: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms along with salt, black pepper, and thyme. Cook for 6–8 minutes until mushrooms become golden brown and tender.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the orzo pasta directly into the skillet with the mushrooms and toast lightly for 1–2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook while stirring occasionally until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish & Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and drizzle lightly with truffle oil if using. Serve warm as a comforting side dish or a satisfying main course.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option or chicken broth for a richer flavor.
- Truffle oil is optional but adds an aromatic finish to the dish.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with olive oil, heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: creamy garlic mushroom orzo, garlic orzo, mushroom pasta, creamy orzo, vegetarian pasta recipe, quick mushroom dish
Find it online: https://maicook.com/creamy-garlic-mushroom-orzo-recipe/