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Amazing 1-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Orzo

One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Orzo
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This is a quick and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender shrimp tossed with orzo pasta, bright lemon, and aromatic garlic. You can make this satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup, bringing a taste of sunshine to your weeknight table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for richness)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  3. Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour in the broth, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, if using, and the fresh lemon juice.
  7. Add the shrimp to the pot. Cook gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a tangier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
  • If you prefer a lighter sauce, skip the heavy cream and stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese at the end instead.
  • Make sure your broth is warm or hot when adding it to speed up the cooking process.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/one-pot-lemon-garlic-shrimp-and-orzo/