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This easy shrimp scampi orzo recipe is a one pot meal that combines hearty pasta with the traditional flavors of shrimp scampi! It has a bright and buttery yet light white wine sauce.
Try my Creamy White Wine Halibut or Seared Scallops next.
Why you’ll love it
The simplicity of Shrimp Scampi is what makes it an everlasting classic. It has very few ingredients, allowing each of them to shine. We’re talking plenty of garlic, a squeeze of bright lemon juice for acidity, and the addition of orzo pasta here to make it filling!
This orzo with shrimp recipe feels fancy despite being ready in just 30 minutes, so it’s a fantastic choice for date night or easy entertaining, especially since it’s made all in one pot. The naturally sweet, succulent shrimp just go so well with everyone’s favorite pasta!
What you’ll need
- Butter – the base of the sauce and for pan frying
- Shrimp – I recommend 31-40 count/lb size frozen shrimp
- Orzo – find this rice-shaped pasta in the dry pasta aisle
- Garlic – aromatic goodness
- Red pepper flakes – it adds another level of flavor/kick depending on how much you’d like to use
- Wine – use a dry white wine that you’d also drink (i.e., not cooking wine). My go-to is sauvignon blanc or pinot gris.
- Chicken broth – more savory flavor for the sauce
- Lemon juice – it perks everything up and adds balance
- Parsley – don’t skip it! It’s not just a garnish and adds essential fresh flavor.
Helpful tips
- Frozen shrimp are always my choice because they’re actually much fresher than the thawed (previously frozen) ones at the fish counter.
- One pot pasta recipes can vary from kitchen to kitchen because of different stovetops and cookware, altitude, etc. Use your best judgment and adjust the liquid ratios and/or cooking temperature accordingly as you go along.
How to make shrimp scampi with orzo
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Heat up the butter in a soup pot or Dutch oven, and add in the shrimp. Cook on both sides until cooked through (pink). Transfer them to a plate, and leave the butter in the pot. Add in the orzo, garlic, and crushed red pepper, and toast it (stirring often) for a couple of minutes.
Pour in the wine, and let it reduce. Add the chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer until the orzo is cooked, stirring periodically. Add the shrimp, lemon, and parsley. Remove from the heat, and cover until more broth has absorbed. Season with salt & pepper.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- Thaw the shrimp quickly in a sieve or colander under cool running water.
- Here’s my trusty cast iron Staub Dutch oven, and you’ll want to mince the garlic with a handy garlic press.
- Butter is better in this butter dish that has measurement markings right on it!
Substitutions and variations
- If you can’t or don’t want to use white wine, a good substitute is using chicken broth and 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard to mimic the flavors.
- Orzo is pasta, so I can’t speculate how subbing with rice would work.
- For a standalone skillet recipe without the pasta, head on over to my Quick and Easy Shrimp Scampi instead.
What to serve with shrimp scampi orzo
- Freshly grated parmesan over top for serving is delicious.
- I love a good Caesar salad with this dish, meaning a big bowl of romaine lettuce, my popular 10-Minute Caesar Dressing, these irresistible Garlic Parmesan Croutons, and a squeeze of lemon juice and dusting of fresh parm. Perfection.
- A big slice of my Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread or a crusty baguette is a great pairing as well!
Leftovers and storage
- As with other seafood recipes, I prefer to eat it sooner rather than later, but it will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge in a covered container.
- Reheat slowly over a low heat on the stove so as not to overcook shrimp, and add a splash more chicken broth if needed since the orzo will absorb it.
- I don’t recommend freezing it because it may change texture.
If you made this shrimp scampi with orzo, please leave a star rating and review below! I really enjoy reading reader reviews. Or tag me on Instagram in your stories.
Shrimp Scampi Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound uncooked (31-40/pound size) shrimp thawed & peeled, tails removed
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes see note
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste
Instructions
- Add the butter to a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add in the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes/side or until they're cooked through. Transfer them to a plate and leave the remaining butter in the bottom of the pot.
- Add in the orzo, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes, and let it cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Add in the wine and let it bubble for about 30 seconds (let it almost completely evaporate), then stir in the chicken broth. Let it come to a gentle boil, then continue cooking for 12 minutes, uncovered, stirring fairly often ensuring the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. You will likely need to turn the heat down (to medium or even medium-low). It should steadily simmer vs. boil furiously, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the orzo is cooked.
- Stir in the shrimp, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Take the pot off the heat, and cover it for 3 minutes until more of the broth has been absorbed. Season with salt & pepper as needed, and serve immediately with some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Notes
- If the orzo is soaking up the liquid too fast (i.e. before the pasta is cooked enough), turn the heat down and/or add another splash of chicken broth. If there’s too much liquid, cover the pot for a bit longer and the orzo will soak ‘er up.
- It’s got quite a kick with 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, so use 1/4 if you want more of a gentle heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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