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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp by generously coating with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- 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.
- Prevent overcrowding by cooking shrimp in separate batches if the skillet becomes too crowded, which helps achieve proper caramelization.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked shrimp to a clean plate and set aside.
- Without cleaning the skillet, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, uncooked orzo, and an additional tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil.
- Toast the orzo and tomatoes, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Pour in of chicken stock and sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of salt, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
- 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.
- Gently fold in fresh spinach leaves, quartered artichoke hearts, and heavy cream, simmering until spinach wilts and cream integrates seamlessly.
- Reintroduce the seared shrimp into the creamy orzo mixture, warming through for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- 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