Tuscan Orzo & Shrimp Skillet

This is an easy one pan meal that the entire family loves. Tuscan Shrimp and Orzo Skillet! Sautéed onion & roasted red peppers season golden orzo, then shrimp is added in the last 5 minutes for a quickly cooked, one pan meal with loads of flavor. We top ours with a little bit of parmesan!

Tuscan Shrimp Orzo Recipe

Tuscan style cooking is a style of cooking which involves using local flavors, and readily available ingredients from the region the cooking is performed in. The idea of Tuscan style food is based on an Italian concept called ‘cucina povera’, which literally means- poor cooking! Tuscan food involves ripe and simple foods to create a meal. Ideally, you’re trying to use up what you have in your refrigerator to make a full meal.

Tuscan Shrimp & Orzo Ingredients: 

• Garlic
• Roasted Red Peppers (in a jar, we buy our at Trader Joes)
• Onion
• Fresh Thyme
• Orzo
• Chicken Stock
• Shrimp (peeled & deveined. We use Sprouts 13/15 count per pound).
• Spinach
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Parmesan to top

How to make Tuscan Orzo and Shrimp

• Start by sautéing garlic, onions, roasted red pepper, and fresh thyme in a pan with olive oil and butter.
• Once the onion is translucent, add orzo, and toast until golden brown. This step is important- it depends the flavor the orzo, and adds a nutty element to it. 
• Next, add chicken stock, and allow to simmer on medium low heat for about 10-12 minutes, or until about 1/4 inch of water remains in the pan.

One Pan Orzo Dinner Instructions

• Add the shrimp on top of the orzo, and cover with a lid, allowing the shrimp to fully cook while the orzo finishes cooking as well.
• PRO TIP: Don’t add the shrimp too early, it can overcook and get tough! It only needs about 5-6 minutes to fully cook with the hot orzo.
• Once the orzo and shrimp are both fully cooked, add a handful of fresh chopped spinach. Give it a good stir, and serve with a hearty topping of parmesan cheese!

Substitutions, Serving & Storing

• This recipe is super simple to modify. You could use whatever veggies you have on hand. Fresh red bell peppers work just as great in this recipe, just dice them small so they cook evenly alongside the onion.
• If you like spice, consider adding in a teaspoon of red chili flakes. I’ve also drizzled hot honey over this (lightly) and it really was delicious!
• If you are serving this to a crowd, you can simply double the recipe. The ratio for a one pan orzo dinner is 1 to 2 (that is, 1 part orzo, 2 parts water). Super simple!
• If you have leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can microwave with about 2 tbsp of chicken stock to freshen up the orzo.

More One Pan Dinner Recipes:

• Creamy Chicken Bake
• Baked Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice
• Mediterranean Shrimp and Orzo
• Shrimp and Rice with Broccoli
• 20 Minute Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

LET’S EAT!

Kathi and Rachel

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Tuscan Shrimp and Orzo Skillet

An easy one pan dinner with roasted red peppers, garlic, spinach, orzo and shrimp.

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup onion (chopped)
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (chopped)
• 3 clovces garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme (chopped)
• 1 cup orzo (uncooked)
• 2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup fresh chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Heat large skillet to medium high heat.
• Add butter and olive oil. Heat until butter is melted.
• Add onion, roasted red peppers, thyme, 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. Stir and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach.
• Top with cheese, serve & enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 833mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 933IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 2mg