Stovetop Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Spinach and Orzo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

Juicy shrimp cooked in a bright lemon-garlic sauce with tender spinach and orzo pasta, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 2, 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

• 3/4 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 3/4 cup orzo pasta and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook uncovered for 7-8 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While the orzo cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp seasoned with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and opaque, then remove from skillet.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Add 3 cups fresh spinach leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return shrimp to the skillet along with cooked orzo. Toss everything together and cook for 1 minute to combine flavors. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.