Description
This creamy and flavorful One-Pot Marry Me Shrimp and Orzo Pasta combines tender shrimp with rich Parmesan and a luscious sauce, all cooked together in a single pot for a quick and easy dinner that’s perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Cooking
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are fully cooked. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Orzo: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp to the pot with the creamy orzo. Toss everything together gently to evenly distribute the shrimp throughout the pasta and sauce.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with dried basil, salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best for maximum flavor.
