Description
This One Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo is a quick, flavorful meal that brings together juicy shrimp, tender orzo pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Bright cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon tie it all together for a refreshing yet comforting dish you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something both easy and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, without browning.
- Add the shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Stir in the orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
- Return shrimp to the skillet, add cherry tomatoes, and cook 2–3 more minutes until the tomatoes soften slightly.
- Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and parsley. Serve warm, topped with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half when the orzo finishes cooking.
- If you like more depth, swap chicken broth for seafood stock.
- This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated with a splash of broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: One Pot, Skillet
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: shrimp orzo, garlic butter shrimp, one pot shrimp pasta