One-Pot Orzo with Shrimp

One Pot Orzo with Shrimp is an easy, filling, and flavorful dinner recipe made in just one pan. Start by cooking up some fresh grape tomatoes then add the orzo and broth. Finish by topping with the raw shrimp to finish cooking.

Why I love It:

• One-Pot Meal: Hello, easy clean up!
• Simple Ingredients: You can find these ingredients at any grocery store.
• Fresh Yet Filling: The shrimp and tomatoes provide freshness while the orzo makes it super filling.
• Feeds a Crowd: An entire pound of orzo makes this a big dinner to feed the whole family.

Ingredients You'll Need For One Pot Orzo with Shrimp:

• Olive Oil - Or other cooking oil
• Garlic - Fresh is best, but minced from the jar is fine too
• Spices - Red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper
• Fresh Grape Tomatoes
• Dried Orzo
• Chicken Broth or Stock - You can also use water but broth or stock adds flavor
• Raw, Large Shrimp - Peeled and deveined, tails are optional
• Fresh Basil Leaves

How to Make One Pot Orzo with Shrimp:

Nothing beats a one pot recipe! Here's how to make it:

1. Preheat - Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cook Tomatoes - Heat a large, deep sauté pan that has a lid over medium heat. Add the oil and cook the halved grape tomatoes with a pinch of salt until softened. Then add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for just a minute more until fragrant.
3. Add Orzo and Broth - Add the orzo and broth to the pan. Stir to combine and scrape any bits from the bottom and bring to a simmer.
4. Bake Orzo - Once simmering, cover the pan, and bake in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and the orzo is al dente. At 10 minutes, I like to give it a stir and you can always add a splash of water if needed.
5. Prep Shrimp - While the orzo bakes, toss the shrimp with olive oil and spices.
6. Top with Shrimp - Once the orzo has absorbed the liquid and is al dente, top the cooked orzo with the shrimp in an even layer.
7. Broil - Place pan back in the oven, uncovered, and broil on high for about 3 minutes until the shrimp are cooked (opaque and pink).
8. Serve - Sprinkle with the chopped fresh basil and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know when shrimp are cooked?

While raw shrimp is grey and translucent, shrimp becomes pink and opaque when fully cooked. It will also start to curl into a ‘C’ shape when cooked. Shrimp cooks very quickly!

Recipe Tips:

• Check at 10 Minutes - When baking the orzo in the oven, I like to check it at 10 minutes by giving a stir to scrape the bottom. If needed, you can add a splash of water at this point if the liquid is almost absorbed but the orzo isn't quite cooked.
• Use a Large Pan - It's best to use a large pan that has surface area to make an even layer of shrimp and is deep to accommodate the orzo.
• Watch While Broiling - Shrimp cooks quickly under broiler so watch carefully.
• Buy Pre-Peeled and Deveined Shrimp – Peeling and deveining shrimp can be time consuming, so I love buying shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. It’s up to you if you want tail on or off!

Storage and Reheating

• Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating - Although shrimp is best when it is freshly cooked, you can reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds until warmed. Don’t microwave for too long or the shrimp can become tough. I also like eating the leftovers cold out of the fridge for lunch!

Other One-Pot Recipes:

• One Pot Cajun Rice with Sausage - Cooking the jambalaya rice in the same pot with the other ingredients results in both more flavor but also easier clean up!
• One Pot French Onion Pasta - The flavors of French Onion Soup in a filling, slightly creamy pasta recipe. Start with caramelized onions in a large pot then add the remaining ingredients, including the uncooked pasta.
• One Pot Spinach Sausage Pasta - Perfect balance of creamy, slightly spicy, and comforting. 

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