Orzo with Garlicky Mushrooms, Parmesan, and Basil
I normally make potatoes or rice as the starch for our evening meals but last night I decided to make this easy orzo with garlicky mushrooms, parmesan, and basil recipe instead. this simple pasta side dish was creamy, flavorful, and SO delicious and there wasn’t a bite of this orzo left after dinner! This orzo with garlicky mushrooms, parmesan, and basil paired nicely with the roasted green beans and chicken breasts with tomato basil sauce.
Orzo with Garlicky Mushrooms, Parmesan, and Basil
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 1/2 tbsp butter, divided
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 1/4 cup sweet yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup orzo
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (*Use vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped finely
How to Make Orzo with Garlicky Mushrooms, Parmesan, and Basil
Heat 2 teaspoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and finely diced onion to the pan; cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Pour the mushrooms into a bowl; cover with tin foil.
Add the remaining oil to the large saucepan; add the orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes.
Add the chicken broth and cover. Reduce heat and simmer until the orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15–20 minutes.
Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo with their juices, the parmesan cheese, the last tablespoon of butter, and fresh basil. Mix until well combined; taste and re-season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if needed. Serve immediately. Enjoy.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1½ tbsp butter divided
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms quartered
- ¼ cup sweet yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- ¾ cup orzo
- 1½ cups chicken broth *Use vegetable broth for vegetarian version
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped finely
Instructions
- Heat 2 teaspoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and finely diced onion to the pan; cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Pour the mushrooms into a bowl; cover with tin foil.
- Add the remaining oil to the large saucepan; add the orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and cover. Reduce heat and simmer until the orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15–20 minutes.
- Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo with their juices, the parmesan cheese, the last tablespoon of butter, and fresh basil. Mix until well combined; taste and re-season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if needed. Serve immediately. Enjoy.
That looks really delicious. I still have some orzo in the pantry and this is a great recipe to use it up.
Great sounding little side dish Pam
Orzo is such a fun shape, isn’t it? I often use it in soup, but rarely feature it in a dish. You’ve inspired me, though! This is a terrific looking recipe — thanks so much.
Orzo is such a great pasta. It can also pass for rice. I like the flavorings you used.
I have a friend who won’t eat rice but will eat orzo so I will pass the recipe on 🙂
This sounds delicious! The ingredients in this recipe will definitely produce a very tasty side dish. I’ll try making this recipe into a healthy ‘main’ dish, by adding in 1 lb. of browned ground turkey, and increasing the other ingredients…. in order to make up for this addition. I plan to serve this dish with a Greek spinach salad on the side.
This sounds great, a lovely midweek meal idea.