Description
Delectable orzo pasta combines succulent shrimp in this Mediterranean-inspired culinary masterpiece. Creamy textures and delicate herbs promise a restaurant-quality meal you’ll savor with pure pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) raw shrimp, large, peeled, and deveined (16 or 20 count per 1 lb)
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 14 oz (397 g) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (1 can or about 1 cup)
- 4 oz (113 g) fresh spinach
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (thyme, basil, oregano, rosemary)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Coat shrimp with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive and even spice distribution.
- Shrimp Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, swiftly sear shrimp with minced garlic until golden and crisp, approximately 2 minutes per side.
- Orzo Foundation: In the same skillet, toast sun-dried tomatoes and uncooked orzo with additional olive oil until orzo achieves a light golden-brown hue.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken stock into the skillet, bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, cooking orzo uncovered for 10-12 minutes while stirring intermittently.
- Creamy Transformation: Introduce baby spinach, artichoke hearts, and heavy cream, stirring until spinach wilts and sauce becomes luxuriously velvety.
- Final Fusion: Return seared shrimp to the skillet, warming through and allowing them to absorb the rich, creamy essence, then adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to create a perfectly balanced one-pan culinary experience.
Notes
- Boost Shrimp Flavor: Coat shrimp generously with dry seasonings before cooking to ensure deep, even flavor penetration.
- Perfect Searing Technique: Heat oil until shimmering and cook shrimp quickly to achieve golden edges without overcooking.
- Prevent Orzo Sticking: Stir frequently during cooking and use enough liquid to keep grains separated and tender.
- Cream Sauce Secret: Add cream and spinach at the end to maintain vibrant color and prevent separation of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg