Shrimp Scampi with Orzo simmered in a delicious garlicky-butter, white wine sauce with bursts of lemon and a hint of red pepper flakes. It wouldn’t be shrimp scampi without perfectly cooked shrimp and this one skillet meal goes stove to table in under 30 minutes.
Growing up Catholic we didn’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Dinnertime ranged from fish and chips to grilled cheese dunked in tomato soup and my personal favorite, potatoes and eggs: crispy pan fried potatoes with eggs poured over the top and scrambled.
If you’re in need of some meatless inspiration beyond my childhood meals, I have a few creative ideas for you. Shrimp Scampi with Orzo cooks in one skillet in a crazy good butter-garlic-white wine sauce with a pinch of red pepper flakes and plenty of fresh lemon flavor.
This whole meal comes together in under 30 minutes with perfectly cooked shrimp and loaded with flavor making it ideal for Lent and beyond.
What’s in Shrimp Scampi with Orzo?
- large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- olive oil
- lemon – juice and zest
- garlic cloves
- salt and pepper
- butter
- orzo
- dry white wine
- chicken stock
- fresh spinach
- red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian parsley
How to make Shrimp Scampi with Orzo:
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to a small bowl along with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, all of the lemon zest and half of the chopped garlic. Season with salt and pepper, stir to combine then set aside.
In a large skillet add the butter, remaining olive oil and garlic along with the orzo. Season with salt then cook 2 minutes over low heat stirring frequently to lightly toast the orzo.
Pour in the wine and cook 1 minute over low heat letting the wine reduce then add the chicken stock, juice from half of the lemon, rough chopped spinach and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper then cover and simmer about 8 minutes or until the orzo is al dente.
Stir the Parmesan cheese into the orzo then lay the raw shrimp onto the top and squeeze the rest of the lemon juice over the shrimp. Cover and cook over low heat 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp are pink then sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Turn off the stove and let the skillet rest covered for 2 minutes then serve right away.
What to serve with Shrimp Scampi with Orzo:
You really don’t need to add a single thing with this easy, one skillet dish! That’s just another great thing about it, but you can never go wrong with a nice crusty bread to sop up anything left on your plate.
Need more meatfree recipes?
From Pan Seared Sea Scallops to Teriyaki Salmon with an easy 4-ingredient glaze to Potato Pancakes or one of my Top 5 recipes the last several years: Cucumber Dill Salmon these recipes will provide lots of delicious meatless meals and inspiration.
Grilled Shrimp Scampi ~ a twist on the classic-fresh shrimp grilled basted in rich, buttery-garlic white wine sauce, topped with fresh mixed herb gremolata is ideal if you’re in grilling season and if you’re a fan of the Instant Pot, try this Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi!
Enjoy!
If you tried this Shrimp Scampi with Orzo recipe or any other on the blog then I’d love to hear from you with a comment or star rating!
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Shrimp Scampi with Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 whole lemon juice and zest
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup orzo
- 1/3 cup white wine pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc recommended
- 2 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups fresh spinach rough chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Italian parsley chopped
Instructions
- Add peeled and deveined shrimp to a bowl along with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, all of the lemon zest and half of the garlic. Season with salt and pepper, stir to combine then set aside.
- In a large skillet add the butter, remaining olive oil and garlic along with the orzo. Season with salt then cook 2 minutes over low heat stirring frequently to lightly toast the orzo.
- Pour in the wine and cook 1 minute over low heat letting the wine reduce then add the chicken stock, juice from half of the lemon, rough chopped spinach and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper then cover and simmer about 8 minutes or until the orzo is cooked to al dente.
- Stir the Parmesan cheese into the orzo then add the raw shrimp onto the top and squeeze the rest of the lemon juice over the shrimp. Cover and cook over low heat 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp are pink then sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Turn off the stove and let the skillet rest covered for 2 minutes then serve right away.
Bette says
Yummy! Love all the ingredients!
Bernie says
Thanks Bette! Super simple and quick too. Would be great with all that fresh Gulf shrimp 🙂
pamela korns says
Excellent. Nice fresh taste. Easy to make. Will definitely make again. It’s a keeper in our house.
Bernie says
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed the recipe. I love a good one pan – less cleanup 🙂 Enjoy the day.
Bernie says
Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed the recipe. We absolutely loved this one! 🙂
Joyce says
THis was an easy and delicious meal, perfect for Lent. My one change was to sub in peas for the spinach. THANK YOU!
Bernie says
Hi Joyce – Ahhh I LOVE peas and definitely need to try that sub. Thanks for the kind words – so glad you enjoyed the recipe ~ Bernie
Pam S says
I made this on a recent trip to Fort Walton Beach, FL with fresh caught gulf shrimp and it was delicious! I don’t think I changed a thing, except for using a Chardonnay wine since that’s all we had on hand. I’m making it again tonight and plan to serve it with a spinach salad and dinner rolls. Thanks for the delicious and easy recipe!
Bernie says
Thank you so much Pam! Really glad you enjoyed the recipe – it’s one of my favorites too – can only imagine how much better with fresh caught gulf shrimp – wow! The spinach salad and rolls are a perfect pairing. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. – Bernie
Ali says
Excellent .. Fresh tasting and so easy to make .. thx for the recipe !
Bernie says
Hi Ali – thank YOU so much! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. I appreciate you taking time to comment. – Bernie
Liz says
I am making it tonight for the 3rd time. So easy and feels like a fancy meal. I didn’t change a thing. Why mess with excellent.
Bernie says
Hi Liz – this makes my day! I love this recipe and I’m so happy that you love it enough to make it a THIRD TIME! Thanks so much for all the kind words — Bernie
Carrie says
Curious when to add the other half of the garlic?
Bernie says
Hi Carrie – half of the garlic spices up the raw shrimp. The other half goes in the skillet with the orzo, etc. — Bernie