Creamy Shrimp Orzo Recipe You’ll Want Every Night
A creamy, flavorful one-pan shrimp and orzo dish loaded with garlic, Parmesan, and lemon. This quick and easy seafood dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, offering rich, comforting taste in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until pink and slightly crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until golden and fragrant.
- Add orzo to the skillet and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast. Pour in the broth and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and more salt and pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Return shrimp to the pan and gently toss to coat. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth for a pescatarian version.
- Red pepper flakes add a nice kick—adjust to taste.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp to keep them tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 220mg