This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Shrimp Scampi Orzo is a delicious one-pot meal that combines tender pasta with juicy shrimp, all tossed in a flavourful mix of garlic, butter, and a splash of fresh lemon. Everything comes together with a quick simmer, for an easy weeknight dinner.
Check out my Pesto Orzo Salad, Orzo Salad with Sundried Tomatoes and Feta, and Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Sausage for other delicious orzo recipes.
Shrimp Scampi Orzo
While the traditional recipe is tossed with long, thin noodles, I love making my shrimp scampi with orzo. The orzo soaks up all that buttery, garlicky scampi sauce, making every bite creamy and flavourful. I like to toast the orzo just a bit before adding the broth—it gives it a nice nutty taste that pairs perfectly with the shrimp.
This recipe is perfect for a casual dinner at home, but it’s also impressive enough for a cozy date night. Plus, it’s super convenient because it’s all done in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy the meal. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with someone special, this dish always hits the spot!
What is orzo?
Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta made from semolina flour. It’s a staple in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine and is often used in soups and salads.
Is orzo healthier than rice or pasta?
Orzo is made from wheat, just like rice and pasta. If you want a healthier alternative, whole wheat orzo has more fiber than white rice or regular pasta. However, like most pasta, orzo can be higher in calories and carbs compared to some varieties of rice, such as brown rice.
Does orzo taste like pasta or rice?
Although orzo looks like rice, it has the taste and texture of traditional pasta.
Ingredients
- Orzo: I like to use regular or whole wheat orzo, but any variety works well here. The orzo soaks up all the delicious flavours of the scampi sauce, making every bite flavourful.
- Raw Shrimp: Make sure to peel and devein the shrimp before cooking for the best texture. I always recommend using fresh shrimp if possible, but frozen works too—just be sure to thaw them first.
- Garlic: I like to mince my garlic fresh. Garlic is essential for that classic shrimp scampi taste.
- Seasoning: A pinch of salt and black pepper is all you need to season the shrimp and orzo perfectly. Feel free to adjust to taste!
- Red Pepper Flakes: These give the dish a subtle kick of heat without overpowering the other dish. Add more if you like a little spice!
- Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil adds richness and helps bring all the ingredients together, especially when marinating the shrimp.
- Lemon Juice: This adds a bright pop of citrus flavour that balances out the richness of the butter and garlic. I always squeeze it fresh for the best taste.
- Butter: It’s not shrimp scampi without a generous amount of butter—it makes the sauce rich, creamy, and irresistible.
- Chicken Broth: This is the liquid base for cooking the orzo. Using broth instead of water makes a huge difference in flavour, adding depth to the dish.
- Fresh Parsley: I love adding fresh parsley at the end for a burst of color and freshness. It also adds a subtle herby taste that complements the lemon and garlic.
- Lemon Wedge: Garnish with a wedge of lemon for an extra squeeze of citrus right before eating—it brightens up the entire dish!
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Orzo
To start, I like to marinate the shrimp by combining them with half the minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. I give everything a good toss to coat the shrimp evenly, then set it aside to marinate for about 10-15 minutes.
While the shrimp is marinating, I heat a large pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, I add the shrimp and cook each side for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked. After that, I remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside.
In the same pan, I melt some butter over medium heat, then add the rest of the garlic cloves and let them toast for 1-2 minutes until they’re fragrant. Then I stir in the orzo, making sure it’s well coated in the butter. We let it toast for a few minutes until it starts to turn golden.
Now it’s time to add the chicken broth. I pour it into the pan and bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. I cover the pan and let the orzo cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until it’s tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Once the orzo is perfectly cooked, I add the shrimp back into the pan and toss in the fresh parsley. At this point, I taste and adjust the seasoning with a bit more salt and pepper if needed. To finish, I garnish with lemon wedges and a bit more fresh parsley before serving.
Tip for the Best Shrimp Scampi Orzo
Do not skip toasting the orzo in butter and garlic before adding the broth. It gives the dish a deeper, nutty flavour that really elevates the whole meal. This extra step makes a big difference and takes the flavour to the next level!
Storage
Store leftover shrimp scampi orzo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or over medium-low heat on the stovetop. If the sauce has thickened, add a splash of broth to loosen it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
While some shrimp scampi recipes call for wine to add depth to the sauce, I find it’s not always necessary. In this recipe, chicken broth and fresh lemon juice provide plenty of flavour. The broth adds richness, while the lemon gives it a bright, tangy finish.
It’s best to use raw shrimp for this recipe so they can absorb all the flavours from the marinade and cook evenly with the orzo. If you use pre-cooked shrimp, they can turn rubbery when reheated, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
For the best experience, serve this dish fresh. The orzo continues to absorb liquid over time and can become mushy. If you need to make it ahead, undercook the orzo slightly and add a little extra broth when reheating to keep the texture just right.
More One Pot Recipes
- One Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
- Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp and Rice
- One Pot Italian Sausage, Spinach & Cheese Tortellini
- Healthy Hearty Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
If you try this Shrimp and Orzo recipe, we’d greatly appreciate if you leave us a star ★ rating, as well as some feedback in the comment section below if you found this blog post helpful and tasty!
Also, please use the hashtag #theseasonedskillet on social media for a chance to be featured, and don’t forget to keep up with TSS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest!
Lastly, sign up to our Friday weekly newsletter for the latest TSS updates, blog posts and recipes straight to your inbox.
Oh, and share, share, share with your family and friends!
Shrimp Scampi Orzo
Equipment
- Large Skillet or saute pan
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Orzo
- 1 pound Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt and Black Pepper , to taste
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- Juice of 1/2 Lemon
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
- 3 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon Wedge and Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine shrimp with 3 minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat well and let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add 3 whole garlic cloves and toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the orzo to the pan and stir to coat it in the butter. Toast the orzo for 2-3 minutes until it begins to turn golden.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring it to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Once the orzo is cooked, add the shrimp back into the pan, toss in the fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with lemon wedges and more fresh parsley before serving, as desired.
