Description
An elegant Mediterranean shrimp and orzo dish cooked in one pan with garlic, butter, and zesty lemon. Ready in 20 minutes, this protein-rich pasta is creamy, tender, and perfect for impressing dinner guests.
Ingredients
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined (1.5 lbs)
Orzo pasta (1 cup, uncooked)
Garlic, minced (6 cloves)
Butter, unsalted (4 tablespoons)
Fresh lemon juice (3 tablespoons)
Fresh parsley, chopped (1/4 cup)
Salt (1 teaspoon)
Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cook garlic 30 seconds, then add shrimp. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sauté shrimp 3-4 minutes per side until golden pink and just cooked through
Add orzo to the pot; stir to combine with shrimp and garlic-butter mixture
Pour in 2 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
Cover and cook 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed
Stir in remaining 3 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Toss everything together until butter melts and sauce becomes glossy. Top with chopped parsley before serving
Notes
Size 16-20 shrimp per pound works best for even cooking
For extra richness, add 1/2 cup heavy cream in step 5 (optional)
Use vegetable broth instead of water for deeper flavor
Rinse cooked orzo with hot water to prevent sticking if using day-old leftovers
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 3g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 125mg