15-Minute Shrimp and Garlic Lemon Orzo
Tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and lemon zest tossed with fluffy orzo pasta for a bright and speedy seafood meal. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, large shrimp, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup (optional) grated Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz orzo pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted and foaming.
- Step 3: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and pink.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and the cooked orzo pasta. Toss gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top if desired before serving.









