Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over Orzo

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

Tender shrimp sautéed with garlic and cherry tomatoes, finished with creamy feta cheese, served atop fluffy orzo pasta. This greek-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, orzo pasta, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup orzo pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil 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. Cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Return shrimp to the skillet, add 1 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp black pepper, stirring to combine and warm through.
  7. Step 7: Toss cooked orzo into the skillet with shrimp and tomatoes, then sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top. Stir gently and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over Orzo take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Tomatoes, and Feta over Orzo?

Greek 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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