This delightful recipe was born out of necessity. Due to a broken stovetop, I was relying on one, small electric burner to do all my non-oven cooking. On the bright side, only having access to one burner at a time inspired me to bulk up my collection of delicious one-pot recipes like this shrimp orzo (and Chicken Broccoli Ziti). The pasta, asparagus, and shrimp all are made in one handy pot, meaning you only have one pot to worry about washing at the end of the meal.

Fresh lemon zest and juice make the shrimp pasta bright and zippy.Asparagus gives it a spring feel.The juicy shrimp are a refreshing change from standard weeknight chicken (not that I’d ever complain about having Chicken Pesto Pasta).

This healthy shrimp orzo feels impressive and special but uses simple ingredients and takes less than an hour to prepare. This one pot meal is both a warrior for weeknight dinners and a dinner party-approved recipe.

How to Make Shrimp Orzo with Asparagus

Every bite of this dish is pure sunshine. The orzo deliciously clings to the shrimp, and its creamy, almost risotto-like texture is truly addictive. You won’t believe you haven’t added cream.

The Ingredients

Shrimp. You can use either fresh shrimp (I like peel and eat for ease of preparation), or for ultimate ease, swap frozen raw shrimp that already peeled and deveined. (Frozen shrimp are also perfect for this Garlic Shrimp Pasta!)Orzo. I used whole wheat orzo pasta, which is quick-cooking and offers more fiber and nutrients than white pasta. It’s a small change that makes the recipe healthier, for no additional effort.

Asparagus. Fresh asparagus tastes like springtime. It adds a wonderful texture and is packed with fiber and folate. Chicken Stock or Broth. Using chicken stock or broth as the cooking liquid adds extra flavor to the dish.Lemon Zest + Juice. For brightness and pop. Parmesan. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the liquid, creating a scrumptious sauce that coats each ingredient in cheesy flavor. Parsley. Adds freshness and an additional pop of green color.

Red Pepper Flakes. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for optional spice.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. To Freeze. You can freeze shrimp orzo. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Dutch Oven. Perfect for making this Mediterranean shrimp orzo. Wooden Spoon. For stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot. Cheese Grater. Grating your own cheese is worth the extra effort.

For your next busy weeknight, when dinnertime is on the line, try this fast, yummy shrimp orzo pasta. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with splendid flavor!

Tomato. Try shrimp orzo tomato for a summery spin. Add halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes with the shrimp. You’ll also love this tomato Farro Risotto.Peas. Add a handful of frozen peas at the end. No need to thaw them first.Spinach. Shrimp orzo spinach would be tasty. Add chopped fresh or frozen spinach with the shrimp. Mushroom. Sautéed Mushrooms would make an excellent addition to this dish.

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