Description
This delicious one-pot shrimp and orzo pasta features juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach, all in a creamy, flavorful sauce. It’s an easy, weeknight-friendly meal that will have everyone falling in love with dinner!
Ingredients
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1 pound shrimp, thawed, drained, and patted dry
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2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil (reserved from the jar)
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Kosher salt, to taste
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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2 tablespoons butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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¼ teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes
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3 cups low sodium chicken broth
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¼ cup heavy cream
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8 oz orzo (about 2 cups uncooked)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and julienned
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½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
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2 cups baby spinach
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Minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
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Cook the shrimp:
In a large skillet or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. -
Sauté garlic and chili flakes:
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil and melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red chili flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. -
Cook the orzo:
Add the chicken broth to the skillet, followed by the heavy cream, orzo, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking. -
Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach:
Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and parmesan cheese. Continue to cook until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes. -
Add the shrimp back in:
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and stir to combine. Heat for an additional 1-2 minutes, until everything is warmed through.
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Garnish and serve:
Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
Make it dairy-free: You can replace the butter with olive oil and use dairy-free cream and cheese alternatives for a dairy-free version.
Add extra veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the dish for more flavor and nutrition
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Keywords: shrimp and orzo, one-pot pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, easy shrimp recipe, Mediterranean shrimp