Creamy Shrimp Orzo 🍤

Creamy Shrimp Orzo: A Luxurious and Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Introduction

Searching for a quick yet luxurious weeknight dinner? This Creamy Shrimp Orzo recipe is just what you need. Featuring succulent shrimp, tender orzo, and a rich cream sauce speckled with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes, this dish is packed with flavor and texture. It’s a perfect meal that comes together in about 45 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb raw shrimp, large, peeled, and deveined (16 or 20 count)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (blend of thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Orzo and Sauce:

• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked orzo
• 2 cups chicken stock
• ¼ tsp salt
• 14 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (1 can or about 1 cup)
• 4 oz fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Shrimp:

• Season the shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

2. Cook the Shrimp:

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Remove shrimp to a plate.

3. Cook the Orzo:

• In the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes and uncooked orzo with a bit more olive oil. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until the orzo is slightly browned.
• Add chicken stock and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.

4. Add Vegetables and Cream:

• Mix in spinach, chopped artichokes, and cream. Stir over low-medium heat until the spinach has wilted.

5. Final Touches:

• Return the seared shrimp to the skillet with the orzo and cream sauce. Simmer for about 2 minutes or until everything is heated through.
• Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if desired.

Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan for an extra touch of flavor!

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cooking Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Calories: 450 Kcal per serving
• Servings: 4

Conclusion

This Creamy Shrimp Orzo dish is not only comforting but also impressively flavorful. The combination of garlic-infused shrimp, rich cream, and hearty vegetables makes it a complete meal that satisfies both the palate and the eye. Whether for a family dinner or a casual gathering, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the flavors and the ease of this fantastic recipe tonight!

Creamy Shrimp Orzo 🍤

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

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1 lb raw shrimp, large, peeled, and deveined (16 or 20 count) 🍤
1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
½ tsp Italian seasoning (blend of thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary) 🌿
¼ tsp salt 🧂
¼ tsp black pepper 🌶️
5 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
For the Orzo and Sauce:

⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 🍅
1 cup uncooked orzo 🍚
2 cups chicken stock 🐔
¼ tsp salt 🧂
14 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (1 can or about 1 cup) 🌱
4 oz fresh spinach 🌿
1 cup heavy cream 🥛
Additional salt and pepper to taste 🧂

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Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Shrimp:

Season the shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 🍤🌶️🌿
2️⃣ Cook the Shrimp:

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until just cooked through. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Remove shrimp to a plate. 🍤🧄
3️⃣ Cook the Orzo:

In the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes, uncooked orzo, and a bit more olive oil. Stir and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until orzo is slightly browned. 🍅🍚🫒
Add chicken stock and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender. 🐔🧂
4️⃣ Add Vegetables and Cream:

Mix in spinach, chopped artichokes, and cream. Stir over low-medium heat until the spinach has wilted. 🌿🌱🥛
5️⃣ Final Touches:

Return the seared shrimp to the skillet with the orzo and cream sauce. Simmer for about 2 minutes or until everything is heated through. 🍤
Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if desired. 🧂🌶️
Serve this creamy shrimp orzo hot, garnished with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan for an extra touch of flavor! 🍽️🌿🧀

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 Kcal