Pesto shrimp orzo offers a simple, delicious, and creamy dish that’s prepared in only 20 minutes using just four primary ingredients. The orzo pasta is richly coated in vibrant pesto and combined with juicy shrimp and fresh tomatoes, creating an effortless dinner option for busy weeknights. This versatile recipe works wonderfully for family meals or when hosting guests.
Recipe Highlights
- Only 4 ingredients needed
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Simple preparation process
- Appeals to large groups
- Ideal for hectic weeknights
- Highly adaptable
Ingredients
- Orzo – This petite pasta resembles rice in appearance but is actual pasta. Gluten-free orzo can sometimes be challenging to locate, but gluten-free pasta serves as a suitable alternative.
- Pesto – Select your preferred store-bought pesto or prepare a homemade version.
- Shrimp – Opt for large Argentinian Pink Shrimp, such as those available at Trader Joe’s, which come peeled and deveined. Ensure the shrimp are fully thawed prior to cooking.
- Tomatoes – Incorporating tomatoes enhances any pesto-based dish with their bright color and complementary flavors.
How to Make Pesto Orzo with Shrimp
Cook the orzo: Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil, then prepare the orzo following the instructions on the package.
Prepare the shrimp: Warm a medium to large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, lightly coat with avocado oil or olive oil, then add the shrimp along with salt and garlic powder. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, flip them over, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Prepare the tomatoes: Slice the tomatoes in half.
Save pasta water: After the orzo finishes cooking, set aside 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water prior to draining.
Combine everything: Drain the orzo, then return it to the pot. Mix in the cooked shrimp, pesto, and halved tomatoes. Pour in 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and stir thoroughly to combine. Add more pasta water as necessary to achieve the desired creaminess.
Top Tips
- Customize with proteins like shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, or salmon.
- Opt for convenient store-bought pesto, or whip up your own if you have plenty of basil on hand.
- For efficiency, purchase pre-peeled and deveined shrimp. Frozen varieties thaw quickly in under an hour or can be defrosted overnight with planning.
- In a pinch without thawed shrimp, consider air frying them directly from frozen.
Variations
- Incorporate additional vegetables: Mix in sautéed zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, roasted red peppers, baby spinach, kale, or artichoke hearts.
- Add heat: Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Alternative proteins: Substitute with diced or shredded cooked chicken, chickpeas, Italian tofu, or salmon bites.
What to Serve with Pesto Orzo
- Kalamata Olive Greek Salad
- Lemon Tahini Broccoli Salad
- Tomato Basil Salad
Common Questions
Where to Find Gluten-Free Orzo
Orzo is a short-cut pasta that mimics the look of rice. Gluten-free varieties were scarce until recently, but excellent options now include:
- Quinoa Orzo
- Barilla Chickpea Orzo (packed with extra protein)
- Jovial Orzo (crafted from cassava flour)
Can You Use Homemade Pesto?
Absolutely! If you’re blessed with lots of fresh basil, go ahead with your go-to homemade recipe. Some tasty options are Pesto Tahini, Spinach and Walnut Pesto, Cashew Arugula Pesto, or Sunflower Seed Pesto.
What If You Don’t Have Orzo?
No orzo? No problem—substitute with rice, any pasta shape, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup pesto
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz orzo
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- ¼ cup pasta water
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil and cook orzo as directed on the package.
- Meanwhile, prepare the shrimp: Heat a medium to large skillet over medium heat, spray with avocado oil or olive oil, add shrimp, salt, and garlic powder. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, then turn off the heat.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Reserve 1/4 to 1/2 cup pasta water before draining the orzo.
- Drain orzo, return to pot, add shrimp, pesto, tomatoes, and 2-3 tablespoons pasta water. Stir well, adding more water if needed for creaminess.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Top Tips
- Experiment with proteins such as shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, or salmon.
- Choose store-bought or homemade pesto based on preference.
- Select peeled, deveined shrimp to streamline prep; thaw frozen ones quickly or overnight.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is possible in a suitable container, but the shrimp texture may suffer upon thawing.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: (value not specified)
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 25g
Nutrition data is estimated using the USDA Food Database and provided for informational purposes.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: orzo pesto pasta with shrimp, pesto orzo shrimp, pesto shrimp orzo
