Shrimp and Orzo
This creamy shrimp and orzo recipe is a simple and tasty one pot meal! Juicy shrimp, tender orzo, salty feta…
This creamy shrimp and orzo recipe is a simple and tasty one pot meal! Juicy shrimp, tender orzo, salty feta and bright lemon come together into a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
With the Mediterranean diet topping the charts of best diets for the eighth year in a row, Alex and I are doubling down on Mediterranean diet recipes. Here’s a delicious way to infuse a little healthy seafood into your diet: this shrimp and orzo recipe!
This is a fun one pot meal that stars the juicy shellfish with its natural flavor pairings: garlic, lemon, feta cheese, and herbs. It’s so hearty and delicious—a bit of cozy comfort food that’s also a healthy dinner recipe!
Featured reader comments
“This shrimp and orzo was delicious and cozy, and made for a really nice Friday night dinner! We’ll definitely make this again. It’ll be nice for a date night or a dinner with another couple. Throw in a nice cold glass of wine and you’re good to go!” -Tanvee
Ingredients in this shrimp and orzo recipe
The Mediterranean diet was named the best diet of the year again by US News and World Report—it’s essentially lots of plant based recipes with a handful of pescatarian recipes and chicken recipes thrown in. Though orzo may look like rice, it’s actually a pasta! While this way of eating emphasizes whole grains, pasta in moderation can be enjoyed on the Mediterranean diet. Here’s what you’ll need for this shrimp and orzo recipe:
- Raw shrimp: You can use medium or large; make sure to buy peeled or tail on and deveined. Here’s how to thaw shrimp in advance.
- Dried orzo pasta: Use regular or whole wheat orzo, keeping in mind whole wheat
- Chicken or vegetable broth: We like using chicken broth for the most pure flavor, but vegetable broth works too.
- Milk: Use 2% or whole milk; you can also almond or oat milk (and omit the feta cheese) for dairy-free.
- Spinach: Use baby spinach or chopped standard spinach (make sure to wash spinach from a bunch before using).
- Feta cheese: This ingredient is optional, but it adds a nice pop of salty flavor.
- Fresh herbs: We love using fresh dill, but parsley also works and is more economical.
- Lemon: Citrus is key for lifting the flavor with a little brightness.
Tip for serving tail on shrimp
We like to use tail on shrimp for shrimp recipes, since it looks beautiful in the pan. However, it can be harder to eat (especially for children), and you’ll have to pull off the tails when eating. Make sure to serve with bowls for the extra tails!
Ways to make it a meal
This shrimp and orzo takes just 30 minutes to cook, so it’s a great easy weeknight dinner. It also works as a fun date night recipe, or a dinner party for two couples. Here are a few fun side dish recipes that make a sophisticated meal:
- Add a green salad like this endive salad, radicchio salad, pomegranate salad, or pear gorgonzola salad
- Serve with broccolini like roasted broccolini or sauteed broccolini
- Go for asparagus like roasted asparagus or quick broiled asparagus
- Try green beans like green beans almondine or sauteed green beans
Storing leftovers
Leftover cooked shrimp technically lasts up to 3 days refrigerated, but personally we prefer to eat shrimp the day it is cooked. For best results, store any leftovers refrigerated for up to 1 day. Save leftover broth for reheating; warm on the stovetop with a few splashes of broth until loosened and creamy.
Dietary notes
This shrimp and orzo recipe is pescatarian. For dairy-free, use oat milk and omit the feta cheese or use vegan feta (you may want to add extra salt).
Shrimp and Orzo
Print RecipeThis creamy shrimp and orzo recipe is a simple and tasty one pot meal! Juicy shrimp, tender orzo, salty feta and bright lemon come together into a satisfying dinner everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound raw medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined and thawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 12 oz dried orzo pasta (regular or whole wheat)
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
- 5 ounces baby or chopped spinach (about 5 packed cups)
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbles (or vegan feta)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill, for garnish (optional)
- Lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Mince the garlic.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Place in a bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and the dried oregano. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs. Remove to a bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic, orzo, and remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the broth and milk and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook, stirring, for 7 to 12 minutes (depending on the orzo brand), until the orzo is just al dente.
- Add the spinach and cook 1 to 2 minutes more until the spinach is wilted. The orzo is done when it is cooked through but there is still a bit of liquid and creamy sauce (it will absorb more of the liquid as it sits). Stir in the feta and add the shrimp to the top. Spritz with lemon juice from a few wedges (about half the lemon) before serving. Serve with lemon slices and if desired, fresh chopped dill or parsley as a garnish.
- Store refrigerated for up to 1 day. Save leftover broth for reheating leftovers; warm on the stovetop with a few splashes of broth until loosened and creamy.
More popular shrimp recipes
Here at A Couple Cooks, Alex and I love shrimp recipes: because this healthy protein is so quick to cook! A few more of our most popular shrimp recipes: this Shrimp Stir Fry is a fan favorite, Honey Garlic Shrimp is so quick and simple, and Pesto Shrimp and Old Bay Shrimp are super fast.
What's Your Reaction?
