One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

The aroma of garlic-infused butter mingling with perfectly toasted orzo will fill your kitchen when you make this delicious One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired dish combines succulent shrimp, tender orzo pasta, and bright lemon flavors in one convenient skillet. Ready in under 30 minutes, this balanced meal delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal cleanup. You’ll learn how to create a creamy, flavorful pasta dish where every ingredient shines, and the simple cooking method ensures perfect results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner will quickly become a household favorite for several compelling reasons. First, the convenience factor is unbeatable—everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your evening. The orzo pasta develops a delightful toasty flavor as it cooks directly in the pan before absorbing the savory chicken stock, creating layers of flavor impossible to achieve with traditional boiling methods.

The textural contrast makes this dish extraordinary: tender orzo provides a creamy base while the plump shrimp offers the perfect bite. The frozen peas add sweet pops of color and freshness, while the Parmesan cheese melts into the mixture, creating a silky finish without the heaviness of cream.

This dish strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated flavor and everyday ease. The brightness of fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness, making this one-pan shrimp pasta meal feel both comforting and light. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or hosting friends, this recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort.

Ingredients List for the One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner

This ingredient list combines simple pantry staples with fresh elements to create a harmonious, flavorful dish. The orzo creates the perfect canvas for the succulent shrimp while the aromatics and seasonings build layers of Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

• 1 pound medium shrimp, thawed if frozen (31-40 count)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves large garlic, chopped
• 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 fresh lemon – half for juice, other half for garnish
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Pro Tips

When preparing your One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner, these three techniques will elevate your dish from good to exceptional:

Toast the orzo properly: Don’t rush the initial cooking step with the orzo, butter, and olive oil. Those 3-4 minutes of toasting the pasta develop a nutty flavor foundation that transforms the entire dish. You’ll know it’s ready when the orzo turns a light golden color and releases a toasty aroma.

Mind your shrimp cooking time: Shrimp cook extremely quickly and can become rubbery if overdone. Add them only in the final minutes of cooking as directed. They’re perfectly cooked when they turn opaque and form a loose “C” shape. If they curl into a tight ring, they’ve gone too far.

Let it rest before serving: While not mentioned in the instructions, allowing the finished dish to rest off the heat for 2-3 minutes before serving lets the flavors meld and the sauce thicken to the ideal consistency. This brief pause creates a more cohesive, flavorful one-pan pasta meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat large skillet to medium high heat.

Step 2: Add butter and olive oil. Heat until butter is melted.

Step 3: Add onion, garlic and orzo.

Step 4: Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and orzo is slightly toasted.

Step 5: Add chicken broth, salt and pepper.

Step 6: Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is soft and just a small amount of liquid remains in the pan.

Step 7: Toss in the shrimp, lemon juice, peas and basil. Stir and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through and peas are warm. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan, stir until combined.

Step 8: Garnish with lemon slices and additional grated parmesan.

Variations

The versatility of this One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner makes it perfect for customization. Try these popular variations:

Mediterranean Style: Enhance the Mediterranean flavors by adding 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill in the final cooking stage. Finish with crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a tangy twist on this one-pan shrimp pasta.

Vegetable-Forward Version: Double the vegetable content by adding 1 cup diced zucchini when you add the onions and 1 cup baby spinach in the final minutes of cooking. This creates a more nutritionally dense dish without compromising the flavor profile of the original shrimp and orzo combination.

Spicy Cajun Adaptation: Transform the flavor profile by replacing the basil with 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning (adjust to your heat preference). Add a diced red bell pepper with the onion and finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a New Orleans-inspired take on this versatile dish.

Storage and Serving

This One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture, and warm gently over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough.

For serving, present this dish in shallow bowls to showcase all the colorful ingredients. Pair it with a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon vinaigrette to complement the meal’s bright flavors. A glass of chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc makes an excellent beverage pairing, enhancing the lemony notes in the dish.

For a complete dinner experience, serve with warm, crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful sauce. A side of roasted asparagus or broccolini also makes an excellent vegetable accompaniment that can cook while you prepare the main dish, allowing everything to be ready simultaneously.

FAQs

Can I use precooked shrimp?
While fresh or frozen raw shrimp are ideal for this One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner, you can use precooked shrimp in a pinch. Simply add them during the final 2 minutes of cooking, just long enough to warm through without overcooking. This modification ensures your shrimp remain tender rather than becoming tough and rubbery.

Is there a substitute for orzo pasta?
If you can’t find orzo, small-shaped pasta like ditalini or small shells work well. Rice is also an excellent alternative—use arborio or another medium-grain rice, though you may need to adjust cooking time and liquid slightly. Each substitute will create a slightly different texture but maintain the spirit of the dish.

Can this dish be made ahead of time?
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare certain components ahead. Chop the onion and garlic, and clean the shrimp up to 24 hours in advance. Store these prepped ingredients separately in the refrigerator until ready to cook your One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner.

How can I make this dairy-free?
Replace the butter with additional olive oil and omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. The dish will have a slightly lighter consistency but will still be delicious.

What’s the best pan to use for this recipe?
A 12-inch skillet with a lid works perfectly. Cast iron, stainless steel, or a non-stick pan are all suitable options for this One Pan Shrimp and Orzo Dinner. The most important feature is having a tight-fitting lid to properly steam the orzo during cooking.

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