One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Orzo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A vibrant Mediterranean dish where tender shrimp and orzo simmer in a zesty lemon-garlic broth with fresh herbs, ready in under 30 minutes. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, olive oil, garlic 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

• 12 oz orzo pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp salt

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 12 ounces orzo pasta and stir for 1 minute to coat in oil, then pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Step 3: Add 12 ounces shrimp, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring once, until shrimp turn pink and orzo is tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for 1 minute until cheese melts, then taste and adjust salt if needed.