One-Pot Prawn Orzo with Garlic and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A light and fresh one-pot orzo pasta with tender prawns, bright lemon, and garlic, perfect for a quick family meal. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 28 minutes, pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, and medium prawns, peeled and deveined for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 370 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb medium prawns, peeled and deveined
• 10 oz orzo pasta
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined medium prawns to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start turning pink.
3. Step 3: Pour in 10 oz orzo pasta, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined. Serve warm.