One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns
A luscious one-pot orzo dish featuring sweet butternut squash and succulent prawns in a creamy sauce, ideal for a quick and nourishing family meal. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, peeled and diced butternut squash, small, finely chopped shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups peeled and diced butternut squash
- 2 small, finely chopped shallots
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large raw prawns
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cups diced butternut squash and sauté for 5 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Step 2: Add 2 finely chopped shallots and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, coating it with the oil and veggies for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking for 8 minutes until orzo and squash are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 lb peeled and deveined prawns, cooking for 3-4 minutes until prawns turn pink and opaque.
- Step 6: Season with 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and mix in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley until creamy and well combined. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns?
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 One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns 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 One-Pot Creamy Butternut Squash Orzo with Prawns?
Mediterranean one pot 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.
