Description
Creamy Shrimp Orzo is a restaurant-worthy, one-pot comfort meal you can pull together in 25 minutes. Tender shrimp simmer with al dente orzo in a rich garlic cream sauce, finished with Parmesan, lemon, and parsley for brightness. This cozy pasta delivers luxurious flavor without fuss—perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. Make it in a single skillet for easy cleanup and serve with crusty bread or a crisp salad.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk or cooking cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and paprika, cooking for 30 seconds.
- Add dry orzo and toast for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour in broth and milk or cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return shrimp to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, use part-skim milk or reduce butter by 1 tablespoon.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp; add back at the end to stay plump.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian-friendly option, though shrimp is not vegetarian.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop / One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 579 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 78 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 330 mg
Keywords: Creamy Shrimp Orzo, shrimp pasta, one-pot dinner, creamy pasta, garlic cream sauce, easy weeknight dinner, 25 minute dinner, parmesan lemon parsley, seafood pasta, quick seafood recipe