One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp cooked with orzo pasta in a garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh parsley for a quick and comforting meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, orzo pasta, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt, and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque; transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter and add 1 cup orzo pasta, stirring to coat the orzo in butter and garlic for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth, add 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Stir in cooked shrimp and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, warming through for 2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo?

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 orzo pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo?

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 Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo 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 Garlic Butter Shrimp and Orzo?

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.

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