One-Pot Mushroom and Spinach Orzo with Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A creamy, comforting one-pot orzo dish loaded with sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, and finished with Parmesan cheese. This Italian-inspired meal-prep recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs extra virgin olive oil, cremini mushrooms, sliced, yellow onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 1 small finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and onions soften.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, coating it with the mushroom mixture, then pour in 4 cups vegetable broth. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 9-11 minutes until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Stir in 4 cups fresh baby spinach, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately.