Description
A creamy and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender shrimp and orzo pasta cooked together in a rich Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Cooking
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 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 peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside.
- Cook the Orzo: In the same pot, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, and 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 to a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp back to the pot and gently toss everything together to combine the flavors and heat the shrimp through.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with dried basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic for a spicy kick.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese will give the best flavor and texture.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free orzo or a similar small pasta.
