Quick & Flavorful Shrimp Orzo One-Pan Meal Recipe

Shrimp orzo converts ordinary weeknight dinners into a Mediterranean-inspired culinary adventure.

This Mediterranean pasta creation promises rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable ease.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate how quickly such an elegant dish comes together in a single pan.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of tender proteins and hearty grains that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

The recipe combines vibrant ingredients that complement each other without overwhelming delicate shrimp sensibilities.

Mediterranean influences shine through in every carefully balanced component of this meal.

Prepare to elevate your dinner routine with a dish that feels both luxurious and effortless.

Shrimp Orzo: A Quick 30-Minute, One-Pan Wonder

• Savor Speed: This one-pan shrimp orzo delivers a gourmet meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Burst Flavor Fusion: Smoked paprika and Italian seasoning create a bold, complex taste profile, while sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes add unexpected Mediterranean-inspired depth to every bite.
• Creamy Texture Delight: Heavy cream and perfectly cooked orzo combine to produce a luxuriously smooth base, complemented by tender shrimp that soak up all the rich, aromatic seasonings.
• Smart Cooking Technique: The recipe maximizes flavor by using the same skillet for multiple cooking stages, ensuring no delicious browned bits or seasoning are left behind and minimizing cleanup time.

Key Ingredients for Shrimp Orzo

• Shrimp: Sweet and tender seafood that provides the primary protein for the dish, best when fresh and deveined.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the shrimps flavor with its pungent and robust profile.

• Orzo: Small rice-shaped pasta that creates a creamy and hearty foundation for the recipe, quick-cooking and versatile.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intensely flavored ingredient that adds a rich, tangy sweetness to the dish.
• Spinach: Delicate leafy green that brings color, nutrition, and a fresh element to the recipe.
• Artichokes: Tender vegetable that contributes a subtle earthy and slightly nutty flavor.

• Smoked Paprika: Smoky spice that provides depth and warmth to the shrimps seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that adds complexity and traditional Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the overall taste of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground spice that adds a mild heat and aromatic quality.

• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking fat that helps sear shrimp and prevent sticking.
• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid that helps cook orzo and adds rich background taste.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious ingredient that creates a smooth, velvety sauce.

How to Make Shrimp Orzo in Just 30 Minutes

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp Seasoning

• Sprinkle shrimp with smoked paprika
• Add Italian seasoning
• Season with salt
• Dust with freshly ground black pepper

Step 2: Sear Shrimp to Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

Add seasoned shrimp and minced garlic

Cook for 2 minutes on each side until shrimp turn opaque

Tip: Cook in batches to prevent steaming if pan is crowded

Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate

Step 3: Toast Orzo and Tomatoes

• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Uncooked orzo
• Olive oil

Stir continuously over medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly browned

Step 4: Create Orzo Base

Pour in chicken stock

Add salt

Bring to a boil

Reduce heat to low-medium

Simmer while stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes until orzo is tender

Step 5: Enhance with Creamy Vegetables

• Spinach
• Artichokes
• Heavy cream

Cook on low-medium heat until spinach wilts completely

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Return seared shrimp to the skillet

Simmer for 2 minutes to heat everything evenly

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, paprika, or pepper as desired

Serve hot and enjoy your quick, delicious one-pan meal!

Tips for Perfecting Your Shrimp Orzo Dish

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Toast orzo briefly before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent mushiness.
• Control Shrimp Texture: Cook shrimp just until they turn opaque to prevent rubbery, overcooked results; remove from heat the moment they're no longer translucent.
• Prevent Sticky Orzo: Stir frequently during cooking and use the correct liquid-to-orzo ratio to ensure each grain remains separate and perfectly tender.
• Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose plump, deveined shrimp and fresh spinach for the best taste and most vibrant presentation.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste and adjust salt incrementally since sun-dried tomatoes and chicken stock already contribute significant saltiness to the dish.

Storing and Reheating Shrimp Orzo

• Refrigeration: Store leftover shrimp orzo in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days, preventing moisture and odors from affecting the dish's quality. Keep the container in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Reheating on Stovetop: Revive your shrimp orzo by adding a splash of chicken stock or water to prevent dryness. Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the dish reaches a steaming temperature, ensuring the shrimp don't become rubbery.
• Microwave Method: When you're short on time, reheat portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent splattering.

Best Pairings for Shrimp Orzo

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the shrimp's delicate flavor and cuts through the creamy sauce, creating a refreshing balance.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Warm, toasted artisan bread serves as an ideal accompaniment to soak up the rich, creamy orzo sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: A light Mediterranean-style salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a lemon vinaigrette helps brighten the dish and provides a zesty, fresh counterpoint to the creamy shrimp orzo.
• Serve with Crisp Chardonnay: An unoaked Chardonnay offers a smooth, slightly buttery undertone that enhances the seafood and complements the creamy texture of the dish without overwhelming its delicate flavors.

Creative Variations of Shrimp Orzo

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers and swap spinach for fresh arugula, adding crumbled feta cheese for a tangy Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Coastal Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace Italian seasoning with Cajun spice blend, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a zesty southwestern profile.
• Herb Garden Fusion: Introduce fresh dill, parsley, and chives during the final simmering stage, then top with toasted pine nuts for an aromatic herbaceous interpretation.
• Creamy Coconut Escape: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk, add a tablespoon of green curry paste, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a tropical seafood experience.

Shrimp Orzo (30-Minute, One-Pan Meal) Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean shrimp orzo delivers a quick, flavor-packed dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy shrimp nestled among creamy pasta create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb (454 grams) raw shrimp, large, peeled, and deveined (16 or 20 count per pound)
• 4 oz (113 grams) fresh spinach

Main Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) orzo, uncooked
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken stock
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 14 oz (397 grams) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (1 can or about 1 cup)
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp by generously coating with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
2. Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Introduce the seasoned shrimp and finely minced garlic to the hot pan, searing for approximately 2 minutes per side until they transform to a translucent opaque color.
4. Prevent overcrowding by cooking shrimp in separate batches if the skillet becomes too crowded, which helps achieve proper caramelization.
5. Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
6. Without cleaning the skillet, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, uncooked orzo, and an additional tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil.
7. Toast the orzo and tomatoes, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
8. Pour in of chicken stock and sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of salt, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
9. Reduce heat to low-medium, allowing the orzo to simmer and absorb liquid, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes until pasta reaches an al dente consistency.
10. Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves, quartered artichoke hearts, and heavy cream, simmering until spinach wilts and cream integrates seamlessly.
11. Reintroduce the seared shrimp into the creamy orzo mixture, warming through for an additional 2-3 minutes.
12. Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings with additional salt, paprika, or black pepper to suit your palate.

Notes

• Quickly sear shrimp with robust spices to lock in maximum flavor and create a golden, crispy exterior.
• Strategically cook orzo in the same skillet to capture leftover seasoning and caramelized bits from shrimp for deeper taste complexity.
• Transform a simple one-pan meal into a restaurant-quality dinner by layering ingredients and allowing each component to develop rich, interconnected flavors.
• Select fresh, plump shrimp and vibrant spinach to elevate the dish’s visual appeal and nutritional profile, making it both delicious and wholesome.
• Embrace flexible cooking techniques that minimize cleanup while maximizing taste, proving gourmet meals can be effortless and weeknight-friendly.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg