Delightful Shrimp Scampi with Orzo Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Savor the tangy and buttery flavor of shrimp scampi with orzo pasta for a satisfying meal. This recipe from the New York Times is easy to follow and perfect for seafood lovers.

shrimp orzo recipe

Are you a fan of seafood? Do you enjoy trying new recipes that are both easy to make and delicious to taste? If yes, then you’re in for a treat with this Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe from the New York Times. It’s a perfect dish to satisfy your cravings for tangy, buttery, and mouth-watering seafood.

This recipe is easy to follow and can be prepared within an hour. It’s a great option for a family dinner or a quick meal after a long day at work. So, grab your apron, put on some music, and let’s get started with this amazing Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe.

Cooking tips

• Use a high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet such as a cast-iron skillet or a good-quality stainless steel pan. This will help avoid the burn spots and will ensure even cooking without shrimp orzo getting stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Pre-cooked shrimp might be overcooked and taste too rubbery, especially when you reheat it.
• Take the tails off. It’s easier and less messy to eat the shrimp with a fork and knife instead of picking up the shrimp out of the creamy sauce by the tail. So, I recommend removing the tails.
• Do not overcook shrimp. Cook it for only about 2 minutes per side, just until it turns pink in color. Overcooking the shrimp will result in a rubbery texture that nobody likes.
• The sauce will thicken as this dish cools. In this case, add a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or chicken broth to the shrimp orzo to thin out the sauce before serving.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using orzo clearly labeled as “gluten-free”. Or, simply use long-grain rice.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup white wine

1/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 pound of orzo pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

shrimp orzo salad

Season the shrimp with salt and black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the white wine and chicken broth to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Allow the liquid to reduce by half, which should take about 5 minutes.

How to make shrimp orzo

• Prepare the shrimp by seasoning it with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.  This recipe uses 1 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) which usually equates to 16 or 20 count.
• Sear the shrimp with olive oil and minced garlic on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.  Make sure the shrimp are not overcrowded to avoid steaming.  You might have to work in batches. When the shrimp is done, remove it to a plate.
• Cook orzo in the same, now empty, skillet: add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup of uncooked orzo, and 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and cook the orzo on a simmer (medium-low heat) until the orzo is cooked.
• Add veggies by adding spinach, artichokes, and heavy cream to the skillet with orzo. Stir on medium heat until the spinach wilts.
• Assemble the dish by adding cooked shrimp back to the skillet with creamy orzo, and reheating everything until the shrimp is cooked through and the sauce is reheated.

Ina Garden Shrimp Orzo

Meanwhile, cook the orzo pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions. Drain the paste and set aside.

Once the liquid in the skillet has reduced, add the cooked shrimp and orzo pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the shrimp and pasta are well-coated with the sauce.

Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!

This Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make. The combination of succulent shrimp, al dente orzo pasta, and a garlic and white wine sauce is sure to satisfy your taste buds. It’s perfect for a dinner party or a romantic evening at home.

Ina Garden Shrimp Orzo Salad

Start by cooking the orzo pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until it’s al dente. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Once it’s cooked, drain the water and set the pasta aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Once the shrimp is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant.

shrimp orzo pasta

Add the white wine, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir the mixture and let it simmer until it reduces by half, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the cooked orzo pasta to the skillet and toss it in the buttery sauce. Add the cooked shrimp and chopped parsley to the skillet and stir the mixture gently until everything is well combined.

Serve the Shrimp Scampi with Orzo hot and enjoy your delicious seafood meal!

Why Our Recipe Stands Out

• We believe that our Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe stands out from the rest because of the following reasons:

• We use a combination of white wine, chicken broth, and lemon juice to create a rich and flavorful sauce that’s perfect for the shrimp and orzo pasta.

• We use fresh herbs such as parsley and basil to add a depth of flavor to the dish.

• We use red pepper flakes to add a touch of heat to the dish, which balances out the other flavors.

• Our recipe is easy to follow and can be made in under 30 minutes.

• Our recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking. You can add more vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, spinach, or bell peppers to make it even more nutritious.

• with different herbs and spices to add your own twist to the recipe.

• Overall, this Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe is a winner in terms of taste, ease of preparation, and convenience. So, why not give it a try and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills?

• Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also a great source of protein and other essential nutrients found in shrimp. Shrimp is low in fat and calories but high in protein, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.

• Additionally, the garlic used in this recipe has numerous health benefits. Garlic has been found to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and even boost the immune system.

• One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s so versatile. You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes, and you can also play around with the amount of lemon juice to adjust the tanginess to your liking.

• Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s easy to customize to your dietary preferences.

Storage and reheating tips

I personally do not like to refrigerate cream-based recipes like this creamy shrimp orzo, because when reheating, they invariably lose their texture, turning the cream sauce into something greasy. My recommendation is to make just enough so that your family can eat this dish right away, without any leftovers. If you do have some leftovers, here are my tips:

• Fridge. Store creamy shrimp orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish as cream-based sauces don’t freeze well.
• Reheat on the stovetop. Reheat this dish in a large, high-sided skillet on the stovetop on low-medium heat. When using this method, add a small amount of heavy cream, half-and-half, or milk to thin out the sauce when reheating.
• Reheat in the oven. Add refrigerated shrimp orzo to an oven-proof dish and reheat in the preheated oven at 350 F for about 20 or 30 minutes, until bubbly.

Conclusion

 Shrimp Scampi with Orzo is a classic dish that’s loved by many. Our recipe is easy to make and packed with flavors that will make your taste buds dance. We believe that our recipe stands

FAQ’s

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like. However, orzo pasta works best for this recipe as it’s small and easy to toss in the sauce.

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw the shrimp before cooking

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

Shrimp Orzo (30-Minute, One-Pan Meal)

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.