The “Italian-Style Shrimp and Creamy Orzo Delight” is a simple yet elegant dish that combines seared garlic shrimp with creamy orzo, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal. This one-pan dinner is not only easy and quick to prepare, taking about 30 minutes, but also requires minimal cleanup. The dish features a mix of vibrant veggies like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes, all contributing to a colorful and nutritious meal. The shrimp is seasoned with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then cooked with minced garlic to add depth of flavor. Orzo, a short-cut pasta that resembles long-grain rice, is used as the base of this dish, cooked in the same pan to absorb all the flavors. Heavy cream is added to create a rich and creamy sauce, making the dish irresistibly delicious. This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a meal that feels fancy without the fuss, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a delightful dinner at home.
Ingredients:
For the Shrimp:
1 lb raw shrimp, large, peeled, and deveined – 16 or 20 count
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Orzo:
1 cup uncooked orzo
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chicken stock
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups spinach
1 cup artichokes, chopped
½ cup heavy cream
Directions:
Prepare the Shrimp: Season shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and garlic, cooking about 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp to a plate.
Cook the Orzo: In the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes, uncooked orzo, and olive oil. Cook on medium heat for 2 minutes until browned. Add chicken stock and salt, bring to a boil, then simmer on medium-low for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is cooked.
Add Veggies and Cream: Add spinach, artichokes, and cream to the skillet with orzo. Stir on low-medium heat until spinach wilts.
Combine Shrimp and Orzo: Add the seared shrimp back to the skillet. Simmer for 2 minutes until everything is warmed through. Season with additional salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people | Calories per serving: 690 kcal