One-Pot Creamy Prawn Orzo with Spinach
A simple one-pot meal combining tender prawns, creamy orzo pasta, and fresh spinach for a nutritious and kid-friendly dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, medium prawns, peeled and deveined, 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
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 12 oz medium prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz peeled and deveined prawns to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove prawns and set aside.
- Step 3: To the same skillet, add 1 cup orzo pasta and toast for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, 1/3 cup heavy cream, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Return cooked prawns to the pan, add 1 tsp lemon zest, and gently toss all ingredients until heated through. Serve immediately.









