One-Pan Lemon Butter Shrimp Orzo (Printable Version)

Shrimp, orzo, and fresh vegetables unite in a bright, flavorful one-pan Mediterranean-inspired summer meal.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails optional

→ Orzo & Grains

02 - 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small zucchini, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Dairy

09 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

→ Pantry

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat shrimp dry thoroughly and season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add diced zucchini and halved cherry tomatoes; cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in uncooked orzo and toast for 1 minute. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, lemon zest, and half of the lemon juice. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Return cooked shrimp and accumulated juices to the pan. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the rest of the lemon juice. Stir gently to combine and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
06 - Remove pan from heat. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This recipe's shortcut cleanup trick is to keep everything in one pan, and it really works.
  • The flavors are so lively and fresh, you'll wish every dinner was this easy.
02 -
  • If you rush the orzo, it can turn mushy and lose its lovely texture.
  • Adding lemon in two parts—the zest early, the juice late—keeps the flavor from disappearing.
03 -
  • If you skip toasting the orzo, the flavor won't be as deep.
  • A good squeeze of fresh lemon at the end wakes everything up.
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