What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon Orzo
A bright, lemony pasta dish featuring plump shrimp and tender orzo, elevated with fresh herbs and a zesty citrus finish. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs orzo pasta, peeled and deveined large shrimp, zested and juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 8 oz orzo pasta
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2, zested and juiced lemon
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3, finely minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh dill
- 1, minced shallot
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced shallot and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
- Step 3: Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove and set aside.
- Step 4: Deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup dry white wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Return shrimp and orzo to the skillet, toss to coat, and heat through for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon 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 What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon 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 What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon 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 What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon 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 What Was the Best Shrimp & Lemon Orzo?
Italian pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Love how the Mediterranean come through in every bite.
