Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo
Craving seafood but too tired to boil pasta? This one-pan wonder combines shrimp and creamy orzo.
When the day feels long and your energy is low, this garlic butter shrimp and orzo is the ultimate 'hug' in a bowl. It takes less than 20 minutes from stove to table, making it perfect for those nights when you just need something substantial without a mountain of dishes. The star here is the orzo—a pasta shaped like rice that absorbs all those delicious notes of garlic and butter perfectly. You can smell the toasted herbs and lemon zest the moment it hits the pan, creating an aromatic steam that makes your kitchen feel like a bistro. It’s creamy, comforting, and uses very few ingredients, so you don't have to think too hard about what to prep. Just toss everything in one skillet and let the magic happen while you relax.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 1.5 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cup chicken broth
- 4 unit cloves garlic — minced
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 unit lemon
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 cup fresh spinach
Method
- 1 Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano, sautéing for about 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- 2 Stir in the orzo pasta and toast it lightly in the garlic butter for 1-2 minutes, tossing to coat each grain.
- 3 Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4 Stir in the spinach until wilted. Fold in the cooked shrimp and simmer uncovered for another 3-4 minutes until the shrimp are pink and the liquid has mostly absorbed.
- 5 Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper. Serve immediately with an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.
Variations
- Veggie Style — Swap the shrimp for a can of drained chickpeas and double the amount of spinach.
- Extra Zesty — Add 1 tsp of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a spicy kick.
Notes
If your orzo feels too dry before the shrimp is finished, add a splash more broth or a dollop of butter to loosen it up.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — Allows you to cook the pasta and shrimp together in one vessel for easy cleanup.
- Lid — Essential for steaming the orzo evenly as it absorbs the broth.
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