This lemon garlic shrimp orzo with spinach is a truly delightful and incredibly simple dish that brings vibrant flavors to your dinner table without a lot of fuss.
Whether you’re looking for a speedy weeknight meal after a busy day or something a little special for a weekend gathering, this recipe delivers on both taste and convenience.
It’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh shrimp and healthy greens, all tossed with tender orzo pasta in a bright, zesty sauce. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how satisfyingly delicious it is for the whole family.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo with Spinach
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This lemon garlic shrimp orzo with spinach is a truly delightful and incredibly simple dish that brings vibrant flavors to your dinner table without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re looking for a speedy weeknight meal after a busy day or something a little special for a weekend gathering, this recipe delivers on both taste and convenience. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh shrimp and healthy greens, all tossed with tender orzo pasta in a bright, zesty sauce. You’ll love how quickly it comes together and how satisfyingly delicious it is for the whole family.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and saute for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate. It’s important not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
3. Pour the white wine (if using) into the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it reduces slightly. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir to coat it in the liquid and garlic.
4. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the orzo seems too dry but isn’t fully cooked, add a splash more broth.
5. Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time. The heat from the orzo will quickly wilt the spinach. Continue stirring until all the spinach has wilted down. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
6. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the orzo and spinach. Gently toss everything together to combine and heat the shrimp through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: saute
- Cuisine: mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: shrimp, orzo, lemon, garlic, spinach, quick, easy, weeknight, pasta, seafood
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for so many reasons, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of home cooks and occasions. First and foremost, it’s incredibly fast. From start to finish, you can have a complete, delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes, which is perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is short but you still want a homemade dinner. It’s also remarkably beginner-friendly; the steps are straightforward, and there are no complicated techniques or exotic ingredients involved, making it accessible even for those new to cooking.
Families will appreciate this dish because it’s packed with flavor that appeals to many palates, and it incorporates healthy spinach in a way that’s often well-received. The orzo pasta is a fun, rice-shaped pasta that kids often enjoy, and the shrimp cooks quickly and absorbs the bright lemon garlic flavors beautifully. You can easily adjust the amount of garlic or lemon to suit your family’s preferences.
This lemon garlic shrimp orzo is versatile enough for various serving situations. It’s light yet satisfying, making it a fantastic option for a casual weeknight dinner. However, its vibrant colors and fresh taste also make it suitable for a more special occasion, such as a relaxed dinner party with friends or a celebratory family meal. It feels elevated without requiring hours in the kitchen. It’s also a great option for meal prepping lunch portions for the week ahead, as it reheats well and maintains its delicious flavor.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is the best way to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience in the kitchen. This recipe uses readily available items that you can find at any grocery store, making it easy to pull together even on short notice. The combination of fresh seafood, pasta, and vibrant vegetables creates a balanced and flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, or substitute with more broth)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
When it comes to substitutions, you have a few easy options. If you don’t have fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp works perfectly; just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking. For the broth, either chicken or vegetable broth will provide a great base, so use what you have on hand or prefer. If you’d rather not use white wine, simply replace it with an equal amount of additional chicken or vegetable broth – the dish will still be delicious and flavorful. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking; omit them entirely if you prefer no heat, or add a little more for an extra kick. Fresh oregano can be used instead of dried, just use about 1 tablespoon.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
One of the best features of this lemon garlic shrimp orzo with spinach is how quickly it comes together, making it a perfect choice for busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
This timing assumes you have your ingredients ready to go. The shrimp cooks very quickly, and the orzo pasta has a shorter cooking time compared to other pasta shapes, which contributes significantly to the overall speed of this recipe.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this lemon garlic shrimp orzo is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked and flavorful meal.
- Prepare the Shrimp and Aromatics: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside on a plate. It’s important not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
- Deglaze and Add Orzo: Pour the white wine (if using) into the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it reduces slightly. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir to coat it in the liquid and garlic.
- Simmer the Orzo: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the orzo seems too dry but isn’t fully cooked, add a splash more broth.
- Incorporate Spinach and Lemon: Once the orzo is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time. The heat from the orzo will quickly wilt the spinach. Continue stirring until all the spinach has wilted down. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the orzo and spinach. Gently toss everything together to combine and heat the shrimp through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This lemon garlic shrimp orzo with spinach is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy adaptations to suit different tastes or occasions.
For a kid-friendly twist, you might consider reducing the amount of red pepper flakes or omitting them entirely. You could also add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese at the end, which is often a hit with children. If your kids aren’t keen on spinach, you can finely chop it before adding it, or even serve it on the side.
To make this dish heartier, you could add some extra vegetables. Diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes (halved), or even some frozen peas tossed in during the last few minutes of orzo cooking would be delicious additions. If you’re looking for a different protein, cooked chicken breast or even scallops would work well in place of shrimp, though cooking times would need to be adjusted. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the shrimp and add extra vegetables or a can of drained cannellini beans for protein.
When serving, this dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce. For a more elegant presentation, garnish with extra fresh parsley and a sprinkle of lemon zest. It’s perfect for a casual family dinner but also impressive enough for guests. You can even serve it buffet-style for a gathering, keeping it warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting after cooking.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time with your lemon garlic shrimp orzo.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly, and if left on the heat for too long, it becomes tough and rubbery. To avoid this, cook the shrimp just until it turns pink and opaque, then remove it from the skillet immediately. You’ll add it back in at the very end to warm through.
Another common issue is under-seasoning. Because there are several components to this dish (shrimp, orzo, spinach), it’s important to season each element or taste and adjust at the end. Don’t be shy with salt and pepper, and make sure to taste the orzo mixture before adding the shrimp back in. The lemon juice is also key for brightening flavors, so don’t skimp on it!
Not stirring the orzo enough while it simmers can lead to it sticking to the bottom of the pan, especially as it absorbs the liquid. Stirring occasionally helps prevent this and ensures even cooking. If you find the orzo is absorbing liquid too quickly and isn’t fully tender, simply add a little more broth, a quarter cup at a time,
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
