Vibrant Garlic Shrimp and Spinach Orzo
This recipe combines succulent shrimp and fresh spinach with creamy orzo pasta, infused with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese for a vibrant and flavorful meal.
Equipment
- Large skillet or pot
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Large uncooked shrimp peeled, deveined, with tails on or off
- 6 oz Fresh spinach
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium Shallot or small onion finely diced
- 1 medium Lemon for juice and zest
- 1 cup Orzo pasta
- 3 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by peeling and deveining shrimp, mincing garlic, dicing shallot, and zesting and juicing the lemon.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced shallot for 2-3 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the orzo and broth, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente and liquid is absorbed.
- Add shrimp and cook for 2-4 minutes until pink, then stir in spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter, lemon juice, zest, parsley, and Parmesan cheese, then season to taste.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with more Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
Don't overcook the shrimp, as they cook quickly. Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference for more or less heat. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will enhance the flavor significantly.