Healthy Recipes Main Dish Pasta Main Dish Mushroom Orzo with Lemon & Parmesan 4.1 (7) 5 Reviews This mushroom orzo with lemon and Parmesan is a creamy dish, rich with flavor thanks to mushrooms and a velvety smooth sauce. Enjoy this cozy pasta dish with a glass of wine. By Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant at EatingWell. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels.As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 28, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD See More Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Photographer / Fred Hardy, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn Active Time: 35 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts This dish features a smooth sauce complemented by cremini mushrooms and Parmesan.Whole-wheat orzo is a good source of fiber for sustained energy.Fresh thyme provides an aromatic touch and balances the creamy and savory flavors. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1/2x 1x 2x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. This recipe was developed and tested at its original yield and has not been tested at other yields. Note that only the ingredient list is scaled, so you may need to make adjustments to ingredient amounts, cooking times and equipment sizes in the recipe steps. Scaling could also impact the nutrition analysis. Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 ½ cups sliced cremini mushrooms 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1 medium shallot, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ cups whole-wheat orzo ¼ cup dry white wine 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish ¼ cup heavy cream ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon lemon juice Directions Heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate. (Do not wipe the pan clean.) Reduce heat to medium and melt 1 tablespoon butter in the pan. Add shallot; cook, stirring often, until transparent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic and light golden, about 1 minute. Add orzo; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook, scraping brown bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, thyme, salt and pepper; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer; cook, stirring often, until the orzo is al dente and the liquid is thickened, about 10 minutes. Add Parmesan, cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, the mushrooms and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter; cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Divide among 4 bowls; garnish with additional thyme, Parmesan and/or lemon zest, if desired. Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2022 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 453 Calories 19g Fat 56g Carbs 15g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 1/2 cups Calories 453 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 56g 20% Dietary Fiber 12g 43% Total Sugars 4g Added Sugars 0g 0% Protein 15g 30% Total Fat 19g 24% Saturated Fat 9g 45% Cholesterol 41mg 14% Vitamin A 1049IU 21% Vitamin C 5mg 6% Vitamin D 14IU 4% Vitamin E 1mg 4% Folate 26mcg 7% Vitamin K 3mcg 3% Sodium 360mg 16% Calcium 126mg 10% Iron 1mg 6% Magnesium 15mg 4% Potassium 449mg 10% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.