There’s nothing I like greater than pairing one thing wealthy, filling, and savory with vivid citrus like I do on this Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet! The umami-rich sun-dried tomatoes and buttery shrimp get the proper raise from jammy lemon slices on this one-pot skillet dish. I spherical it out with certainly one of my favourite enjoyable pasta shapes, orzo, which cooks shortly and soaks up all of the garlicky taste! This skillet will replenish a household of 4, nevertheless it additionally makes nice leftovers. It couldn’t be simpler to make (in about 35 minutes!), and it matches properly into my grocery funds for the week. Let’s get cookin’!
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Tender Shrimp, Saucy Orzo, and One Skillet
I took inspiration from the garlicky, lemony flavors of shrimp scampi for this simple skillet, then added orzo so it appears like a full dinner. My favourite trick right here is cooking the shrimp first, then pulling them out whereas the orzo simmers, in order that they keep juicy and tender as an alternative of turning rubbery. Then the orzo cooks proper in the identical skillet, absorbing the broth, garlic, lemon, and that flavorful sun-dried tomato oil till it turns tender and saucy. I additionally wish to toast the orzo for a minute earlier than including the broth, which supplies the entire dish somewhat additional depth and helps it seize onto all these savory bits left behind from the shrimp and onions. This garlic shrimp and orzo skillet is straightforward, cozy, one-pan, AND very weeknight-friendly!
- Thaw the shrimp safely. In a single day within the fridge is finest. For a faster possibility, place the shrimp in a bowl of chilly water, changing the water after quarter-hour if not thawed in that point, or run them underneath chilly water in a colander. DON’T use sizzling water to thaw shrimp, go away it at room temperature, or microwave it so the shrimp stays at a protected temperature whereas thawing.
- Shrimp cooks quick, so hold a detailed eye on it! It’s prepared when it turns pink, curls right into a free “C” form, smells aromatic, and appears opaque as an alternative of grey and translucent. I take away the shrimp from the skillet after a couple of minutes, then add it again on the finish as soon as the orzo is completed, which makes certain it cooks completely!
- Pat the shrimp dry. I all the time blot the shrimp dry with paper towels after thawing. Doing this helps the seasonings stick and retains the shrimp from steaming within the skillet.
- Add extra broth if wanted. Orzo can take in liquid in a different way relying on the model, skillet, and warmth stage. If all of the broth disappears earlier than the orzo is tender, add one other splash of broth and hold simmering till it’s carried out.
Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet
Price $10.84 recipe / $2.71 serving
This simple Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet has tender shrimp, lemon, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and saucy orzo in a single weeknight-friendly pan!
- 1 Tbsp salted butter ($0.12)
- ½ yellow onion (finely diced, $0.49)
- 1 lb. massive shrimp (thawed, (peeled, deveined & tail-off, 31-40 per lb.) $6.93)
- ⅛ tsp chili flakes ($0.02)
- ½ tsp salt ($0.01)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.02)
- ⅛ tsp paprika ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil, $0.17*)
- 1 cup dry orzo (raw, $0.49)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced, (1 Tbsp) $0.16)
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, $1.65*)
- 2 cups rooster broth ($0.18)
- ½ lemon (sliced into wheels and seeded, $0.34)
- ¼ cup frozen spinach (rinsed and squeezed, $0.24**)
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Collect the substances.
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Slice lemons, mince garlic, cube onion, and chop sun-dried tomatoes.
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Defrost frozen shrimp.
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Soften salted butter in a big skillet and add onions. Cook dinner onions over medium-high warmth till softened, between 4-6 minutes.
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Pat defrosted shrimp dry with clear paper towels.
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Toss dry defrosted shrimp with chili flakes, salt, pepper, and paprika.
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Add uncooked shrimp to the skillet with sun-dried tomato oil and softened onions, and prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes per aspect. The shrimp will flip pink and aromatic.
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Take away shrimp after a complete prepare dinner time of 4-6 minutes.
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Add raw orzo, minced garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet with the cooked onions. Toast the orzo for a couple of minutes, stirring usually.
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Deglaze the skillet with rooster broth and add sliced lemons. Flip warmth right down to medium-low and simmer till the orzo is absolutely cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Be at liberty to do a fast style take a look at to ensure your orzo is completely al dente!
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Rinse and squeeze out extra moisture from frozen spinach and add it to the skillet with the cooked shrimp. Stir whereas simmering for one more minute or two to heat every little thing up. Serve sizzling!
See how we calculate recipe prices right here.
**You too can use contemporary spinach (about 2.25 oz).
Serving: 1serving (2 cups)Energy: 291kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 37g (12%)Protein: 23g (46%)Fats: 6g (9%)Sodium: 1420mg (62%)Fiber: 3g (13%)
easy methods to make Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet step-by-step images
Collect all your substances.
Prep the substances: Slice ½ lemon into skinny wheels and take away any seeds, since they will style bitter within the completed dish. Finely mince 4 garlic cloves, cube ½ yellow onion, and chop ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes.
Thaw the shrimp: In the meantime, thaw 1 lb. massive shrimp (peeled, deveined & tail-off) if nonetheless frozen. In a single day within the fridge is finest, however once I’m quick on time, I’ll place them in a bowl of chilly water to thaw. Change the water after quarter-hour if the shrimp isn’t thawed to maintain it chilly. Don’t use heat or sizzling water, and don’t thaw shrimp at room temperature or within the microwave!
Soften the onion: Soften 1 Tbsp salted butter in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add diced ½ onion and prepare dinner for 4-6 minutes, stirring usually, till softened and frivolously translucent.
Dry the shrimp: Pat the shrimp very dry with clear paper towels so it sears as an alternative of steaming within the skillet.
Season the shrimp: In a bowl, toss the thawed and dried shrimp with ⅛ tsp chili flakes, ½ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp paprika till evenly coated. The seasoning ought to frivolously cling to the shrimp.
Cook dinner the shrimp: Add 1 Tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil) to the skillet, then add the seasoned shrimp in a good layer. Cook dinner for 2-3 minutes per aspect, simply till the shrimp flip pink, opaque, aromatic, and curl right into a free “C” form.
Switch the cooked shrimp to a clear plate after a complete prepare dinner time of 4-6 minutes. Put aside whereas the orzo cooks.
Toast the orzo: Add 1 cup dry orzo, 4 cloves minced garlic, and ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the identical skillet with the onions. Toast the orzo for a couple of minutes, stirring usually, till it’s frivolously toasted. This step provides additional taste to the completed dish!
Simmer the orzo: Pour in 2 cups rooster broth, scraping up any browned bits from the underside of the skillet. Add the sliced lemon wheels, then scale back the warmth to medium-low. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring sometimes, till the orzo is tender and many of the broth has absorbed into a lightweight, shiny sauce. Style a bit to ensure it’s completely tender!
Add the spinach and shrimp: Rinse ¼ cup frozen spinach, squeeze out the surplus moisture, and stir it into the skillet. Return the shrimp to the pan and simmer for one more 1-2 minutes to heat by way of.
Serve your garlic shrimp and orzo skillet sizzling, and revel in!
Serving Options
Since this garlic shrimp and orzo skillet already has pasta, shrimp, and spinach multi function pan, I normally hold the edges contemporary and easy. Steamed peas are a simple, budget-friendly possibility, or some air fryer broccoli brings a crisp-tender texture and roasted taste that works properly with the garlicky orzo. For one thing lighter and brighter, I’d serve it with my cauliflower tabbouleh or our inexperienced bean salad so as to add some crunch and freshness alongside the buttery shrimp and savory sun-dried tomatoes. I additionally wish to serve this with some freshly minced parsley and/or some grated parmesan cheese, nevertheless it’s glorious as-is!
Storage & Reheating
This garlic shrimp and orzo skillet is finest served contemporary, however don’t waste these leftovers! You’ll be able to retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat gently within the microwave till simply warmed by way of, including a small splash of broth or water if wanted to loosen issues up. Attempt to not overheat it to keep away from the shrimp getting robust and rubbery. As for freezing, I wouldn’t freeze this one as a result of cooked orzo normally doesn’t all the time maintain up properly after thawing and might develop into a bit mushy.
