Description
Creamy Shrimp Scampi With Orzo is a luxurious one-pan dish featuring tender shrimp, buttery garlic flavor, and creamy orzo pasta. This elevated take on classic shrimp scampi is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, delivering rich flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cooking fats and aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and liquids
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Flavors and garnish
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season shrimp with salt and black pepper, then cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant but not burnt.
- Toast Orzo: Stir in the dry orzo pasta and toast it in the skillet for about 1 minute, allowing it to become slightly golden and enhancing its nutty flavor.
- Simmer Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed—this takes approximately 10 minutes.
- Add Cream and Lemon: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until well combined.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Return Shrimp: Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until shrimp are heated through and coated in the creamy sauce.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter, less rich sauce.
- Serve this dish with a simple green salad or garlic bread to complement the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
