One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta Recipe
Introduction
This One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with tender shrimp and spinach, it comes together in a single pan for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp (thawed, drained and patted dry)
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil (reserved from the jar)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz orzo (about 2 cups uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and julienned)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss the shrimp with sun-dried tomato oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a pan over medium heat and sauté the shrimp until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. If the shrimp release any water into the pan, drain it and quickly wipe the pan dry.
- Step 2: Add butter to the same pan and melt it over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and crushed red chili pepper flakes for about two minutes until fragrant. Then add the chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender.
- Step 3: Once the orzo is tender, stir in the parmesan cheese and baby spinach until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and gently mix. Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, try using a splash of white wine in place of part of the chicken broth.
- Swap baby spinach for kale or arugula for a different leafy green flavor.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving to brighten the dish.
- Use peeled and deveined frozen shrimp for convenience; just thaw and pat dry before cooking.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Avoid reheating shrimp for too long to keep them tender.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta instead of orzo?
Yes, small shaped pastas like ditalini, acini di pepe, or even small elbows work well. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What can I substitute for sun-dried tomato oil?
If you don’t have sun-dried tomato oil, use olive oil instead and consider adding a bit more chopped sun-dried tomatoes for flavor.
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One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring sautéed shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach all cooked together in a rich sauce with garlic, smoked paprika, and parmesan. It’s a quick, satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Shrimp Marinade and Cooking
- 1 pound shrimp (thawed, drained, and patted dry)
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil (reserved from the jar)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Orzo and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz orzo (about 2 cups uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and julienned)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
Garnish
- Minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves
Instructions
- Marinate and Cook Shrimp: Toss the shrimp with sun-dried tomato oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated. Heat a pan over medium heat and sauté the shrimp briefly until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. If the shrimp releases any water while cooking, drain the liquid and wipe the pan dry quickly before proceeding.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about two minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Orzo and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish the Dish: Once the orzo is tender, stir in the parmesan cheese and baby spinach until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Shrimp and Garnish: Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and gently combine. Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley or sliced basil leaves before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes according to taste.
- You can substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make the dish pescatarian-friendly.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- This recipe works well with pre-cooked shrimp if you want to skip the first cooking step; just add them in at the end to warm through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: shrimp pasta, one pot meal, orzo recipe, creamy shrimp pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, quick dinner, easy shrimp recipe
