Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach
Juicy shrimp cooked in a lemon-garlic sauce tossed with tender orzo pasta and fresh spinach for a bright, easy, one-skillet dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, orzo pasta, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 4 cups, packed fresh spinach
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup (about 1 large lemon) lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb medium peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp olive oil and 5 minced garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta and stir to coat with the garlic oil. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 cups packed fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Step 5: Return cooked shrimp to the skillet along with 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Orzo Skillet with Spinach?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
