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Orzo is a versatile, quick cooking pasta that’s great for an easy weeknight meal. This one pot shrimp orzo recipe blends creamy orzo, protein-packed shrimp, peppers and feta cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal ready in 20 minutes!

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As a busy mom and business owner, I’ve sort of forced myself to make quick and healthy dinners, like this shrimp and orzo recipe. With activities and so much happening after school, I just don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen.

But, nutrition is still important! After all, I’m a Dietitian and I like to serve balanced meals to my family. I love this as a family meal for toddlers and kids because orzo is like rice, and this is a flavorful meal.

This shrimp orzo recipe is a recent favorite of mine because it can be ready in 20 minutes – even if you’re using frozen shrimp! For more 20 minute meals, check out our meal prep ebook.

Like orzo, shrimp cooks quickly, which is why the pairing of these two is genius. One pan lemon chicken orzo is another favorite.

And of course, I wanted to add some veggies in, and finally, feta cheese to bring everything together.

This lemon orzo with shrimp really is perfection, and I can’t wait to see what you think!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Shrimp and Orzo

• Quick enough for a weeknight meal – Tasty lemony shrimp orzo is ready in under 30 minutes! I like to rotate between this and my favorite pork and veggie stir fry for a no-think meal each week.
• High in protein and fiber – Two nutrients that help keep us full and satiated. Shrimp also offers other important nutrients, like iodine, healthy fats like DHA and EPA, potassium and more.
• Versatile – Can add in other veggies or sauce, or omit as you’d like.
• Less pots/pans to wash – You just need one pot for everything! One pot recipes are a favorite over here.

A Few Notes on Key Ingredients

• broth – I use bone broth for extra protein and nutrients!
• shallots – I love love shallots in any recipe, but if you don’t have them, onions are fine.
• shrimp, thawed, peeled and deveined – frozen works just fine in this recipe – just add 5 minutes!
• Optional garnishes – I love parsley and lemon wedges

How to Make a 20 Minute Shrimp Orzo Dish

First, we’ll cook the orzo. Add butter or oil to your skillet and let the orzo toast for a few minutes.

Toasting the orzo helps give it more flavor and makes it less sticky and mushy.

Then, add the liquid (I love using bone broth for extra protein), cover and reduce to a simmer until the orzo is cooked. This will take about 8-10 minutes.

Remove the cooked orzo from the pan and transfer to a plate.

Then, saute the shallots and garlic for 2-3 minutes before adding the shrimp, bell peppers and tomatoes.

Cook everything for 5-10 minutes (frozen shrimp may take a little longer), until the shrimp are cooked through and are no longer pink.

Then, add in the cooked orzo, lemon juice and spinach (optional). Stir the orzo until the spinach wilts and you have a delicious lemony orzo with shrimp dish set and ready!

Servings 4

One Pot Shrimp Orzo with Feta

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN

Orzo is a versatile, quick cooking pasta that's great for an easy weeknight meal. This one pot shrimp orzo recipe blends creamy orzo, protein-packed shrimp, peppers and feta cheese for a delicious and satisfying meal ready in 20 minutes!

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1.5 cups orzo
• 1 cup broth
• 1 cup water
• 2 shallots, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 lb shrimp, thawed, peeled and deveined
• 1 medium bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup Feta cheese
• Spinach, optional
• Parsley
• Lemon wedges

Instructions 

1. Add butter to a large cooking pot or skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup orzo and toast for about 2 minutes. Add the broth and water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce to a simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until orzo is thickened and cooked al dente, and liquid is absorbed. Stir the orzo halfway through to ensure it doesn’t stick to pan. Drain orzo and set aside on plate.
2. To the same cooking pan, add more oil, then add the shallots and garlic, and sauté for 2-4 minutes.
3. Add the shrimp, sliced bell pepper, and quartered grape tomatoes, and cook for 5-10 minutes,* until the shrimp are cooked through and no longer pink. Add the cooked orzo back in, as well as lemon juice, feta cheese and spinach.
4. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

*Notes:  The shrimp may take a few extra minutes if it is frozen!

 

Stir the orzo halfway through to ensure it doesn’t stick to pan. It burns easily in my experience!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 33gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 207mgSodium: 615mgPotassium: 554mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1379IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!