Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Parsley Orzo

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant price tag? Honestly, who doesn't? This lemon garlic shrimp orzo recipe is your ticket. It bursts with fresh, zesty flavor.

Brief Overview

This dish hails from the Mediterranean. It's a celebration of simple ingredients. This easy shrimp orzo recipe is ready in under 20 minutes.

It serves four hungry people. Perfect for a family dinner or a quick get together with friends.

Main Benefits

It's packed with protein and vitamin C. The quick weeknight dinner is incredibly satisfying. This recipe is special because it is so versatile.

You can easily adapt it to your liking. Let’s get into it.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Parsley Orzo Recipe Card

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta (approximately 200g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided (1.5g)
• 1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp (approximately 680g)
• 5 teaspoons (25ml) unsalted butter, divided
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (1.5g)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided (1.5g)

Instructions:

• Cook the orzo according to package directions, omitting any added salt or fat (like oil).
• Once cooked, drain the orzo thoroughly. Transfer it to a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the parsley and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cover the bowl to keep the orzo warm.
• Melt 1 tablespoon (14g) of butter in the large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the shrimp with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add half of the shrimp to the skillet. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until they are almost cooked through and turning pink. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
• Melt 1 tablespoon (14g) of butter in the same pan. Add the remaining shrimp to the pan. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until they are almost cooked through and turning pink. Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon (14g) butter to the pan. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic!). Add the cooked shrimp, lemon juice, and black pepper to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, or until the shrimp are fully cooked through and coated in the sauce.
• Divide the parsley orzo among plates and top with the lemon garlic shrimp. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:375

Fat:17.5g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Why You'll Love This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo Recipe

Have you ever craved something light and flavourful. But you don't have all day to cook it? I get it! This shrimp orzo with lemon garlic sauce is where it's at.

It is ready in less than 30 minutes!

This isn't your average pasta dish. Think vibrant, fresh flavors dancing on your tongue. The lemon garlic shrimp pasta is so easy you will find yourself making it once a week!

What Makes This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo So Darn Good?

It all starts with quality ingredients. We’re talking succulent shrimp, perfectly cooked orzo. And a bright, zesty lemon garlic sauce.

This Mediterranean shrimp orzo is seriously addictive. You are going to love this recipe.

The dish is a simple yet satisfying blend of savory shrimp, tangy lemon, and aromatic garlic. I love how the fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.

It's like a taste of sunshine on a plate.

Let's Talk Ingredients & Equipment for Lemon garlic shrimp orzo

Alright, let's dive into what you need for this amazing Lemon garlic shrimp orzo recipe . Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward.

You know, nothing too fancy! This recipe for Shrimp and orzo pasta is super simple!

Main Players: The Stuff You Really Need

Okay, so here’s the breakdown. We need 1 cup (about 200g ) of orzo pasta. Just the regular stuff. Also, grab 1 ½ pounds (around 680g ) of peeled and deveined shrimp.

Quality check? For the shrimp, look for plump ones that smell fresh, not fishy. Nobody wants dodgy shrimp, you know? It's essential for the best Mediterranean shrimp orzo .

And, we need about 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped. This is the first stage! Also ¼ teaspoon of salt, divided.

Lemon garlic shrimp with orzo Seasoning Time!

Garlic and lemon are your best friends here. We are going to use 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.

So, freshness is key! I always use fresh lemon juice. It makes a big difference!

For seasoning, ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt. If you fancy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick.

Quick substitution: Dried Italian herbs work in a pinch!

This seasoning combo makes it a great Easy shrimp orzo recipe .

Essential Tools for Shrimp orzo with lemon garlic sauce

Right, kit time! You need a medium saucepan, a large non-stick frying pan and a colander. Nothing too special.

Don't have a colander? Use a fine-mesh sieve. A bowl will also do the trick. Honestly, I’ve used a tea strainer before in extreme emergencies.

We are trying to achieve a very flavourful Creamy shrimp orzo or a One-pan shrimp orzo .

So there you have it. It's all very easy and hopefully fun to follow.

Cooking Method: Sautéing the Shrimp for Perfect Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo

Sautéing. Honestly, it's one of those cooking methods that sounds fancy but is actually dead easy. The french call it sauter, means "jump", which refers to how you move food around.

This makes our easy shrimp orzo recipe a breeze. It's all about quick cooking over high heat. This lemon garlic shrimp pasta is ready in minutes.

I love a quick weeknight dinner , don’t you?

Prep Steps: Shrimp Mise en Place

Essential mise en place, basically "everything in its place," is key. Have your peeled and deveined shrimp ready, 5 teaspoons of butter measured out, garlic minced, and lemon juice squeezed.

This will save you from scrambling later. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels for optimal browning. This makes all the difference!

Step-by-Step Sauté Perfection

1. Cook the orzo per package instructions without salt or fat.
2. Drain the orzo and mix with parsley and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Keep warm.
3. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add half the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes , until pink and almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
5. Repeat with another 1 tablespoon of butter and the remaining shrimp. Transfer to the plate.
6. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter, add garlic, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it!
7. Add the shrimp, lemon juice, and black pepper and cook for about 1 minute until cooked.
8. Serve over the orzo.

Pro Tips: Sauté Secrets

Don’t overcrowd the pan! Sautéing in batches ensures even cooking and beautiful browning. Overcrowding leads to steaming, and no one wants steamed shrimp, lol.

Also, always use fresh lemon juice. Bottled stuff just doesn't compare to what you get when you buy the real deal! If you want a creamy shrimp orzo , stir in a splash of cream at the end.

This garlic lemon shrimp with orzo is divine. Making shrimp and orzo pasta has never been this quick. The Mediterranean shrimp orzo flavors sing.

Plus, one-pan shrimp orzo means less washing up! Serve it up and enjoy!

Recipe Notes for Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo

Right, so you've got the lemon garlic shrimp orzo recipe down, yeah? Fab! But before you go wild in the kitchen, let's chat about a few little things.

Honestly, these are just a few tips and tricks I've picked up along the way making this easy shrimp orzo recipe, that can take it from "good" to "oh my gosh, this is amazing".

Serving Shrimp and Orzo Pasta Like a Pro

Presentation matters, you know? A simple trick is to twirl the orzo onto the plate using tongs. Top it with the garlic lemon shrimp with orzo , arranging them nicely.

A sprinkle of extra fresh parsley? Always a winner. For sides, think fresh. A simple green salad is always a winner.

A crisp glass of white wine also goes down a treat.

Super Simple Storage Tips for the Easy Shrimp Orzo Recipe

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let it cool completely first. Then, whack it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge.

It'll keep for about 3 days . Reheating? Microwave is fine, but honestly, gently reheating in a pan with a splash of water or broth keeps it from drying out.

I wouldn't recommend freezing. The orzo goes a bit weird, you know?

Mixing It Up: Variations on the Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo

Fancy a change? Make a creamy shrimp orzo ! Stir in a dollop of crème fraîche or heavy cream at the end.

Seriously, SO good. Gluten-free? No sweat! Just use gluten-free orzo. Honestly, it works a treat. You can swap chicken for shrimp also.

Nutrition Nitty-Gritty

Each serving clocks in around 350-400 calories. There's a good whack of protein (35-40g!), some fat (15-20g), and carbs (30-35g).

Shrimp is brilliant, lean protein, and orzo gives you energy. Plus, all that lemon and garlic is good for you.

Not bad for a quick weeknight dinner , eh?

Honestly, making this lemon garlic shrimp orzo is easier than ordering a takeaway. Give it a go! You'll feel like a total kitchen wizard.

Shrimp orzo with lemon garlic sauce is gonna be your new best friend, trust me.