Vegan Mushroom Lemon Orzo Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 8 ounces white button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 medium celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 5-6 cups vegetable broth (ensure it’s vegan)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more to taste (about 3 tablespoons total)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup dried orzo pasta
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Mushrooms: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick pot over medium heat. Add the mushrooms in an even layer and cook for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned on both sides. Remove the mushrooms and set aside.
  2. Cook Vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Once heated, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
  3. Add Broth and Herbs: Stir in 5 cups of vegetable broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, rosemary, and thyme. Return the mushrooms to the pot. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil.
  4. Simmer Soup: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. If the liquid reduces too much, add more broth as needed.
  5. Cook Orzo: Stir in the orzo and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender, about 8 minutes (check package instructions for exact cooking time).
  6. Season and Adjust: Remove the pot from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the lemon juice if desired.
  7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings)

  • Calories: 180
  • Total Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 800mg (varies based on broth)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 5g

Note: Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on ingredient brands and exact quantities used.