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A complete meal that looks like restaurant fare, this dish can be made with simple pantry ingredients you have on hand.
This one pan Mediterranean shrimp orzo with feta tastes absolutely nothing like any other dish in your repertoire, believe me.
If you love Mediterranean flavors but very much prefer something that’s quick and easy to prepare, this is the dish for you.
Ingredients To Make This Dish
For the shrimp and orzo:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1½ cups orzo pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2½ cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Additions:
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor
- A handful of spinach or arugula stirred in at the end
- Extra feta for serving
How to Make Greek Shrimp with Orzo Step by Step
- Sear the shrimp
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook just until pink, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside. - Toast the orzo
In the same skillet, add the orzo. Stir for a minute or two, allowing it to toast lightly in the remaining olive oil. This gives the pasta a nutty flavor and keeps it from turning mushy later. - Add aromatics and deglaze
Stir in minced garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any flavorful bits left from the shrimp. Bring to a gentle simmer. - Simmer the orzo
Cook the orzo over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is just tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. If needed, add a splash of stock or water to loosen the texture. - Add the shrimp and Mediterranean mix-ins
Add the shrimp back into the skillet along with cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives. Stir gently and let everything warm through for 2 to 3 minutes. - Finish with feta and lemon
Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle generously with crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley for color and freshness. - Serve and enjoy
Serve warm straight from the skillet. The creamy orzo, briny olives, and bright lemon make this a complete meal on its own, no sides required.
How Do You Prepare the Shrimp for the Best Flavor?
I love to purchase shrimps that have been peeled and deveined. Though my husband prefers fresh shrimps. This is up to you, both works. I just want to start real quick, so it’s for my convenience.
Wild shrimps are best for their sweet taste and briny flavor. If you get fresh shrimp, you will have to peel and devein them first.
Then, use paper towels to dry them up by patting them. This helps them to sear nicely.
Prepare your pan over medium heat on the stove. Then, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the pan. Add the shrimp and cook it until it looks pink and slightly golden at the edges.
Don’t remove them first. Add in salt and pepper and toss the prawns to spread the seasoning. This is to allow them to stay juicy as you’ve to add it to the orzo later.
What Is Orzo and Why Does It Work So Well Here?
Orzo is often said to resemble rice, but it’s actually a small, tender type of pasta. It’s perfect for soaking up sauces, which is why it works so well in this one-pan Mediterranean shrimp orzo.
The same skillet you used to cook the shrimp is used here to toast the orzo, another flavor-enhancing touch.
Once it is coated with olive oil, add chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you prefer) to make the orzo slippery so it cooks quickly. The herby, garlicky notes that define this dish should be all in place by then.
By the time you cook the orzo, it will have absorbed all those herby, garlicky notes that make this dish sing.
What Ingredients Bring the Mediterranean Magic?
Mediterranean dishes are filled with fresh ingredients and not many. Cherry tomatoes will give you a bit of sweetness. Kalamata olives bring salt; kosher Olives combine for balance and contrast; and feta cheese adds creaminess.
Parsley adds color and freshness, and lemon juice sharpens ills. A little oregano and a couple of pinches of red pepper give the shrimp orzo a gentle heat.
They don’t just taste good; those ingredients also create a flavor that is golden, green, and exquisitely Mediterranean.
Can You Customize This One Pan Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo?
No doubt about it; That is the wiles of an orzo recipe. Shredded spinach or dried tomatoes will give you a feeling of depth and add that special taste to this dish.
You can make the mixture softer by adding another small bit of feta cheese or adding some liquid to it, such as boiling water or stock. In addition, adding artichokes and red peppers will make for a heartier bite that accommodates peoples’ tastes.
How to Season Shrimp and Orzo Perfectly
A simple blend of olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon zest, and a pinch of oregano gives shrimp all the flavor it needs.
After you add the shrimp back to the pan, taste and season with salt and pepper again to balance the acidity of the lemon juice and the saltiness of the feta.
Don’t skip this last adjustment, it’s what turns a good dish into a restaurant-worthy one. The combination of fresh lemon and olive oil adds a glossy, irresistible finish.
How to Reheat and Store Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, this one-pot meal reheats beautifully. Store cooked orzo and shrimp in an airtight container for up to three days.
To reheat, add a splash of stock or water to loosen the sauce and warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat. The shrimp and orzo regain their silky texture without drying out.
This method keeps the flavors bright and the feta creamy. You can even enjoy it cold as a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad for lunch the next day.
What to Serve with Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo
This complete meal doesn’t really need side dishes, but a crisp green salad or grilled vegetables complement it perfectly.
Think cucumbers, red pepper strips, and a drizzle of olive oil with lemon juice. Warm pita or crusty bread helps mop up any remaining sauce.
A glass of chilled white wine, something crisp and citrusy, pulls the whole experience together for an easy, elegant dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp and Orzo Recipe for Busy Weeknights
It’s fast, flavorful, and foolproof. From start to finish, you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a mini vacation, complete with Mediterranean sunshine on your plate.
The one-pan simplicity means less cleanup, and the layered flavors make it feel special enough for company. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding the family, one-pan shrimp orzo is a dish that impresses every time.
The Finishing Touches That Elevate Flavor
A final drizzle of fresh olive oil right before serving gives a subtle sheen and richness. Sprinkle extra crumbled feta and chopped fresh parsley for contrast.
A little fresh lemon juice ties the flavors together, balancing the briny olives, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tender shrimp.
Each bite tastes vibrant, satisfying, and beautifully Mediterranean. It’s proof that simple ingredients, when treated with care, can feel luxurious.
Common Questions About Cooking Shrimp with Orzo
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
Definitely. It keeps the dish lighter and vegetarian-friendly (without the shrimp, of course).
Can I make it ahead?
You can cook the orzo ahead of time and store it separately; combine and reheat gently with a little stock or water before serving.
Is this gluten-free?
Traditional orzo is not, but gluten-free varieties work beautifully.
Can I bake it instead?
Yes, for a pan Mediterranean shrimp orzo bake, transfer everything to an oven-safe skillet, sprinkle extra feta on top, and broil until golden.
A Note on Mediterranean Flavors and Heritage
Dishes like this take inspiration from coastal Mediterranean kitchens where olive oil, seafood, and lemon rule the table.
You’ll find versions of shrimp and orzo in both Greek and Italian homes, each adding its regional flair, sometimes sun-dried tomatoes, sometimes extra herbs.
What unites them is the love for simple, fresh ingredients. Cooking it at home brings that warmth and herby freshness right into your kitchen.
Final Touch: Make It Yours
After you become familiar with and then perfect the basic recipe, make some changes around the edges. Use lemon and shrimp to replace the orzo with red roast pepper if you want a deeper taste. If you like your cheese a little more sour, replace the feta with it.
Add spinach and artichokes to get that extra bit of vegetable into your diet. At the same time when you cook the orzo, you may even throw in capers or a little white wine in order to give a richer flavor.
The the lovely thing about this dish is that, no matter what mistakes you may make, it always comes out wonderfully.
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