Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Orzo

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp quickly cooked in garlic butter, tossed with tender spinach and nutty orzo pasta for a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs orzo pasta, water, large shrimp, peeled and deveined 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup orzo pasta and 1/2 tsp salt, cooking uncovered for 8-9 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: While orzo cooks, heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 4 cups baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until wilted.
  5. Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet along with drained orzo, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until heated through and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning with 1/2 tsp black pepper if needed and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach and Orzo take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Spinach 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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