Creamy Orzo with Shrimp
Creamy orzo with shrimp is so delicious and it takes under 30 minutes to make. You can have all of these ingredients on hand, so this one easy easy to throw together when you don’t know what to make. The whole family will love it, and this will end up being one of your recipes you have on repeat all year long. Give this delicious orzo recipe a try this week!
Why you’ll love this easy creamy pasta sauce
- It can be made in one pot if you want it to! Use already cooked shrimp to skip the shrimp step.
- It’s so good, the whole family will approve. My husband, 4 year old and 1 year old all ate this happily.
- It’s hearty and comforting, and it’s a great easy recipe for anytime of year. Who doesn’t love a cream sauce!?
Here’s what you’ll need to make it
- Deep frying pan – I used my Always Pan. This is one of the best pans I own!
- Frying Pan – this is for cooking the shrimp. If you use pre-cooked shrimp, you can skip the extra pan.
- Spatula – I used a silicone spatula.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
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Ingredients & substitutions
- Orzo – Easy and quick cooking orzo is so good in this recipe. You could substitute rice as well.
- Broth – I used vegetable broth but you can use chicken or beef as well.
- Heavy cream – Use the heavy cream, it makes this recipe so good.
- Sun dried tomatoes – You can use the kind in the bag like I did, or the kind in a jar packed in oil. I have not tested this recipe with the tomatoes packed in oil, but I would imagine it’s delicious!
- Arugula – You can also use spinach if arugula isn’t your thing. It is just as good!
- Spices – I love garlic powder, salt and pepper. I like to keep it simple!
- Shrimp – I used raw, deveined 31/40 shrimp. You can also use cooked shrimp, which would make this recipe just one step easier, and you can make it in one pot!
- Garnish – I used fresh parsley from my garden and of course, freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How to make this keyword
Step 1. Add orzo, sun dried tomatoes and vegetable broth to a deep frying pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add heavy cream and spices. Cover and let simmer until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2. To another pan, add butter over medium heat. Add shrimp and let them cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they are just opaque.
Step 3. Add arugula and shrimp to the orzo mixture and stir in.
Step 4. Serve with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
*PRO TIP: Use already cooked shrimp and make this a one-pot meal!
FAQs about raw shrimp for sale
In the seafood industry, shrimp size is measured by the number of shrimp in one pound. On most bags of shrimp, you will find a smaller number followed by a slash and then a larger number. For example, 71-90 would indicate that there are 71 to 90 shrimp per pound.
Most of the time, if there’s no designation, you’ll be fine working within the 36/40 to 16/20 range. It’s a goldilocks range; not too big and not too small for the bulk of recipes. Keep in mind that shrimp cook quickly, and overcooked shrimp can be tough and rubbery.
Easy Fall Meal Prep:
Using your crockpot:
Creamy Orzo with Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 deep pan a deep frying pan or Dutch oven.
- 1 Frying Pan
- 1 Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 8 oz orzo
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 oz sun dried tomatoes
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 8 Ounces shrimp deveined and shelled 31/40
- Parmesan for garnish
- parsley for garnish
- butter for cooking
Instructions
- Add orzo, sun dried tomatoes and vegetable broth to a deep frying pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add heavy cream and spices. Cover and let simmer until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To another pan, add butter over medium heat. Add shrimp and let them cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they are just opaque.
- Add arugula to the orzo mixture and stir in.
- Add shrimp to the orzo mixture and stir in.
- Serve with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
