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Are you looking for a simple yet satisfying one-pan meal? Look no further than One Pan Creamy Vegetable Orzo! This delightful dish combines the comfort of a creamy sauce with orzo pasta, making it an instant favorite for any occasion. Perfect as a main dish or as a delicious side dish. This creamy creation will surely get your taste buds going while keeping things effortlessly delicious.

This easy recipe belongs in your rotation of weeknight dinners! It comes together in under 30 minutes, and the one pot meal means easy, fast clean-up!

Ingredients for One Pan Creamy Vegetable Orzo

Ingredients in bowls for orzo dish. Orzo, chopped onion, chopped mushrooms, broth, cream, parmesan, garlic, white beans and spinach.

  • Olive oil
  • Orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
  • Onion
  • Mushrooms
  • Garlic cloves  
  • One can of white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • Baby spinach
  • Vegetable Broth or vegetable stock
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make Creamy Orzo

  1. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion and mushrooms, sauté until slightly caramelized,  about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and sauté about 30 seconds to one minute.
  4. Stir in the orzo, vegetable broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until the orzo is al dente and until the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency, about 10 minutes. 
  5. Stir in fresh spinach and beans , cook another 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted and beans are heated through. Add in parmesan cheese and stir until creamy.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors according to your preference.
  7. Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving.
  8. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or fresh basil, if desired, for an extra burst of flavor and color.

One pan creamy vegetable orzo in deep skillet.

This One Pot Creamy Orzo dish is a breeze to whip up, thanks to its simple ingredients and one-pan cooking method. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply craving a cozy meal for one, this versatile dish checks all the boxes for a complete meal that’s satisfying and delicious. 

Creamy vegetable orzo dish in two white bowls.

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

While some might recommend freezing for up to 30 days, I wouldn’t recommend. I’ve found when freezing pasta dishes with a cream sauce, the texture is not ideal.

Substitutions

White Cannelini Beans – substitute with butter beans or black beans. 

Heavy cream – for vegan option substitute with plant-based cream.

Parmesan cheese – substitute with nutritional yeast. or plant-based parmesan. 

Additions

Vegetables – add in fresh asparagus, cherry tomatoes, grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, or roasted vegetables.

Pine nuts – add about 1/4 cup at end of cooking

Favorite proteins – tofu, tempeh, seitan, or meats such as chicken.

Chili flakes – start with a 1/4 teaspoon and add until desired flavor/heat.

Cooked creamy vegetable orzo in a white serving bowl.

​The creamy texture of this delicate pasta dish screams comfort food.

We hope you love this dish as much as we do! If you make it, please let me know by commenting below, sending me an email, or tagging me on Instagram!

Enjoy!

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Creamy Kale Risotto with Butternut Squash

Black Trumpet Mushroom Risotto with Kale

Cooked creamy vegetable orzo in a white serving bowl.

One Pan Creamy Vegetable Orzo

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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: creamy vegetable orzo
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 307kcal
Author: hungrydanekitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup onions, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced about 2-3 cloves
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups spinach, fresh
  • 1 15.5 oz can white cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup Parmesan, shredded or shaved

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and mushrooms, sauté until slightly caramelized,  about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add garlic and sauté about 30 seconds to one minute.
  • Stir in the orzo, vegetable broth, and heavy cream..
  • Bring to a simmer and cook until the orzo is al dente and until the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency, about 10 minutes. 
  • Stir in fresh spinach and beans , cook another 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted and beans are heated through. Add in parmesan cheese and stir until creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors according to your preference.
  • Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or fresh basil, if desired, for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1753IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 1mg

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