Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot)
An easy dinner for midweek all made in one pot. Super creamy but made without a single drop of cream! Nutrition grade rating of A-. Make it even more nutritious by adding more vegetables!
Recipe by Nagi | RecipeTin Eats on May 25, 2015
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT20M
Total time: PT30M
Rating
4.94 stars (61 reviews)
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1.2 lb / 600g mushrooms (, sliced (I used button mushrooms))
3 tbsp butter, unsalted
3 garlic cloves (, minced)
1 small onion (, finely diced)
3 tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups / 375 ml milk ((I used low fat))
3 cups / 750 ml chicken broth
1 1/2 cups orzo / risoni, uncooked ((Note 1))
1/2 tsp salt
Black pepper
3/4 cup parmesan cheese (, grated)
8 oz / 250g frozen spinach ((1 box), thawed, excess water squeezed out)
Extra parmesan cheese
Finely chopped parsley
Categories
Pasta
Steps
Heat the olive oil in a large non stick pan over high heat (if you aren't using non stick, use more oil).
Add the mushrooms and cook until softened (around 3 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.
Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the pan. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent - around 3 minutes.
Add the flour, stir it in and cook for 1 minute.
Add the milk and chicken broth and use a whisk to mix the butter flour mixture into the liquid.
Increase heat to medium high. Add the orzo/risoni, salt and pepper, stir once, then put a lid on (Note 2). Bring it to a simmer, then leave it to cook for around 8 to 10 minutes or until the orzo/risoni is cooked but still slightly firm, and it is still quite saucy. Note: If you have a strong stove, turn it down slightly so it just simmers).
While the orzo is cooking, break up the spinach into little pieces with your fingers.
Remove the pan from the stove. Stir through the parmesan, spinach and cooked mushrooms. Check if more salt or pepper is required.
Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and fresh finely chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 601 g
Calories: 542 kcal
Carbohydrates: 67.9 g
Protein: 27.3 g
Fat: 19.2 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Cholesterol: 37 mg
Sodium: 1172 mg
Sugar: 12 g
Reviews
Anna on 2026-08-03 (5 stars): So good! Full of veges and so satisfying. Happily ate this for lunch for a few days.
Vicki Gold on 2026-06-22 (5 stars): Hi Nagi,
I’m wondering if this recipe can be frozen?I made far too much!
Cheers
Vicki
Carla on 2026-04-10 (3 stars): Need help please
Can i use wholemeal flour instead of plain flour?
Can i use coconut milk instead of milk
Thanks for any advice
Angela on 2026-02-25 (5 stars): Once again Nagi you’ve enabled a 5/5 from my husband. Thank you. Delish 😋
Lizz on 2025-09-28 (5 stars): Just made this used silver beet from the garden and some extra broccoli and some fresh oregano and basil. Made heaps and was delicious !
Roger on 2025-07-18 (5 stars): I grilled some chicken breast and sliced it and then mixed it at the end for a little extra protein. I used a blend of mushrooms too. It was a very simple and easy weeknight dinner for two with about 3 small portions for meals after! This one is a keeper.
Shaye Haasbroek on 2025-05-13 (5 stars): 10/10, this dish is incredible! Such a soul food, I actually forgot the parmesan!! It was still incredible. I added the flesh from a whole roast chicken and it was perfect.
Michelle on 2025-03-26 (5 stars): Delicious. And even easier with frozen already-chopped onion and cheat’s garlic!
Sara on 2025-03-14 (5 stars): Oops forgot to rate! A full 5 stars!
Msmoo on 2024-08-20 (5 stars): Yum, had some Swiss brown mushrooms to use up, so did scale recipe back for 2 servings. I used veggies stock then cream. With lid on I did find sauce a bit runny, so took lid off and simmered a little longer. Didn't have spinach either, so for the green element added frozen peas. Which worked really well, a great quick dinner .
Francine m platt on 2024-06-24 (5 stars): Delicious 😋
Jas on 2024-05-25 (5 stars): Absolutely phenomenal. I didn’t realise that I had forgotten to add in the parmesan - it was THAT flavourful and delicious. I also made this with risotto instead of orzo. Completely obsessed
Kristin Jazdzewski on 2024-04-08 (5 stars): Oops forgot to rate!! I’d give it 10 stars!
Marjorie Tague on 2024-02-28 (5 stars): I made this recipe last night. All I can say is …..OH MY GOODNESS! Absolutely delicious. Only had heavy cream and fresh spinach on hand. After other reviews, I added a squeeze of lemon once on my plate. I sent this to all of my foodie friends.
Roshini Naidu on 2023-04-18 (5 stars): Love your recipes Nagi👌Absolutely delicious😋 used a mixture of mushrooms only & served rissoto with a chicken dish I made in the oven!
Kirsten on 2023-03-08 (5 stars): This recipe is so great and easy! Added truffle oil before serving and it's phenomenal :)
Sandhya on 2023-03-07 (5 stars): Amazing recipe. So glad to find good vegetarian recipes! Thanks Nagi