Description
This One-Pot Marry Me Shrimp and Orzo Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp are cooked right in the pot before adding orzo pasta and a luscious sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. The dish is finished with aromatic basil, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley garnish for a vibrant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Orzo Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are fully cooked. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set them aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Orzo: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened into a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp back into the pot with the creamy orzo. Toss everything together gently to combine the flavors and evenly distribute the shrimp throughout the pasta.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with dried basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences. Serve the pasta hot, garnished generously with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep it tender and juicy.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger groups, just use a larger pot to cook evenly.
