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Laughing Spatula / Recipe Index / One Pot / 20 Minute One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

20 Minute One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

By Kathi & Rachel

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In just a few minutes you can serve up this comforting delicious Shrimp and Orzo Dinner and better yet, do it all in one pan!

 

shrimp and pasta in a skillet ready to serve

Well hello fast and fresh dinner!  This beautiful one pan meal is ready in…wait for it… 20 MINUTES!   Ready, set, go and dinner is done!

Besides being easy and quick, this recipe is also healthy.  Shrimp is very low calorie and orzo is like baby pasta, so it must have only half the calories of regular pasta right?

What is Orzo?

  • Orzo is simply pasta that’s shaped like rice!  It tastes like pasta with a nice chewy texture.   It’s small and cooks up quick so it’s perfect for one pot dinners!

Check out the video below and see how easy this dish is to make!

Start with a little chopped onion, fresh garlic and a bit of olive oil along with your orzo.  While your onion and garlic are cooking your orzo is toasting!

onion, garlic and orzo toasting in silver skillet

Next, add your chicken stock.

Can I add a bit of cream?

  •  You bet!  Simply sub 1/3 of the chicken stock with cream or half and half and you have Creamy 20 Minute Shrimp and Orzo Dinner!

What kind of Shrimp should I use?

  • We used  medium 31-40 per pound.  Rumor has it it can be annoying to pluck the tails off while eating.  I like to  think of it as a ‘dinner activity’.  You can buy ‘no tail’ shrimp as well.

broth shrimp and peas being combined

Once your shrimp is pink and the peas are cooked through, add a big squeeze of lemon, a handful of parmesan cheese and TASTE FOR SALT AND PEPPER…this is the step even good cooks forget.  I am a notorious under salter!

My family doesn’t like peas…well at least one of them :).  Got any substitute ideas?

  • This recipe works great with just about any fresh vegetable.  Broccoli, corn, asparagus just to name a few.  Simply stir them in in place of the peas and cook until crisp tender.

Can I substitute chicken for the shrimp?

  • Yes, yes and yes!  Before beginning your onion orzo mixture,  cube boneless chicken into 1-2 inch pieces.  Sear for a couple minutes in a little olive oil until almost cooked through. Set aside.  Then add back to the skillet in place of the shrimp.  Take a look at our Chicken with Orzo skillet recipe.

shrimp and orzo dinner in white bowl

 

Tips to make this Shrimp and Orzo Skillet:

  • Use raw shrimp.  Medium.  31-40 per pound.   Tail or no tail…depends on if you don’t mind removing them while dining.  I kinda like it.  Food weirdo.
  • Don’t like peas? Substitute broccoli or asparagus for the frozen peas (or use both and veggie it way up!).
  • Substitute feta for the parmesan for a Greek spin.
  • Great for lunch the next day, cold or warm,  and stays fresh in the fridge for a couple days.

We have about a dozen orzo recipes…it’s our fave pasta!  You can see them all HERE!Check out our one pan Chicken and Orzo Skillet – another super fast and fresh one pot meal and our Lemon Orzo Soup recipe, so fresh tasting, perfect for spring or winter!

To fast, fresh and flavorful dinners that go boom!

Clink!

Kathi

 

 What do you think about this recipe? Have questions? Comment below! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula,while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!

Hey and check out our new YouTube Channel!

shrimp and orzo with sliced lemons in a skillet

20 Minute One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

This Shrimp and Orzo one pan meal cooks up quickly in a broth based sauce.  Add any or all of your favorite veggies to make it different every time!
4.53 from 76 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 5
Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

  • 1 pound medium shrimp . Thawed if frozen. 31-40 count
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 3 cloves large garlic chopped
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta - uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1 fresh lemon - half for juice, other half for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Heat large skillet to medium high heat.
  • Add butter and olive oil. Heat until butter is melted.
  • Add onion, garlic and orzo.
  • Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and orzo is slightly toasted.
  • Add chicken broth, salt and pepper.
  • Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is soft and just a small amount of liquid remains in the pan.
  • Toss in the shrimp, lemon juice, peas and basil.  Stir and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through and peas are warm.
     Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan, stir until combined.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and additional grated parmesan.

Notes

See the video for an easy tutorial.
NOTES To Make Shrimp and Orzo Skillet: Use raw shrimp.  Medium.  21-25 count.   Tail or no tail...depends on if you don't mind removing them while dining.  I kinda like it.  Food weirdo.Substitute broccoli or asparagus for the frozen peas or use both and veggie it way up!Substitute feta for the parmesan.Great for lunch the next day, cold or warm,  and stays fresh in the fridge for a couple days.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 244mg | Sodium: 1259mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 12.6mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 3.1mg

 

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Filed Under: Fast and Fresh, Fish, Healthy Recipes, Main Course Recipes, Most Popular Recipes, One Pot, Pasta

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Stewart says

    July 25, 2018 at 10:28 am

    5 stars
    This is an excellent recipe and when I use my cast iron skillet to brown the orzo, it adds more flavor! Thanks foe the easy and tasty recipe. It’s one of my regulars now.

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    January 18, 2018 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    I made this tonight for my whole family. It was easy to make and the only change I made was to add a bit of black pepper and garlic powder to make it a little more flavorful. I will definitely make it again. It was really delicious.

    Reply
    • Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says

      January 19, 2018 at 12:47 am

      Thanks for the nice note Holly!

      Reply
  3. Anna says

    January 15, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy! I think I could eat anything with Orzo 🙂 The shrimp, peas, and lemon were the perfect combo.

    Reply
    • Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says

      January 15, 2018 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks for the note Anna! We are so glad you liked it!

      Reply
    • Shannon says

      May 28, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      My family loves this recipe! Thank you for sharing it. The only thing I do differently is add feta cheese instead of parm.

      Reply
      • LaughingSpatula.com says

        May 30, 2019 at 4:58 pm

        Feta sounds like a great sub…yum!

        Reply
  4. Stella Toh says

    November 13, 2017 at 4:28 am

    First time cooking orzo and it turned out well! Thumbs up

    Reply
    • Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says

      November 13, 2017 at 3:05 pm

      Thank you Stella! I love this dish and still make it on a regular basis!

      Reply
  5. Marie Telesca says

    April 23, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    I made this last nite and it was delicious. Very easy to make.

    Reply
  6. Shelley Brown says

    February 6, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    Made this today. Very easy and it was delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      February 7, 2017 at 12:14 am

      I am so glad you liked it! I just made it last week :). Family fave!

      Reply
  7. Cindy says

    December 6, 2016 at 12:20 am

    I made this for dinner tonight and it was very tasty and easy!

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      December 6, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      Hi Cindy! I am so glad you liked it, thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

      Reply
      • Beth says

        July 21, 2018 at 5:45 pm

        I added Zucchini, asparagus and no peas.then 1/2 cup of white wine. it was excellent.

        Reply
  8. Taylor says

    December 1, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    Oh this looks absolutely divine and like the perfect throw together weekday meal! I make a shrimp primavera regularly that is similar to this but the lemon just sounds like the perfect addition!

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      December 2, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      I love the idea of a primavera! More veggies!

      Reply
  9. Debra C. says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    Looks just delish! I want to add, I don’t think you’re a food weirdo leaving the tails on ads more flavor and I think it’s prettier! Ok…maybe we’re both weird, but I like the way you think! 😀

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      December 2, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      ya us food weirdo’s have to stick together! Thanks for the nice comment!

      Reply
  10. Luci {Luci's Morsels} says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    I love quick one-pot dinners for weekday nights – so easy to get a hot meal on the table at the end of a long day! Thanks for the tip to toast the orzo before cooking, I bet it adds an extra layer of awesomeness to the whole dish!

    Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.

    Reply
  11. Kristine says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    My daughter loves anything with shrimp and the fact that this is quick and easy to make means I can make it! LOL! Looks delicious, thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      December 2, 2016 at 5:05 pm

      Thank you for the nice comment Kristine!

      Reply
  12. Platter Talk says

    December 1, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    5 stars
    I love seafood and shrimp is #1 on the list. Your pictures make me want to grab a spoon and grab some to taste! So simple and quick yet just perfect for a meal.

    Reply
    • Kathi Kirk says

      December 2, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Thank you for the nice comment! I love your blog BTW!!! I’m a regular visitor!

      Reply
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