Delicious Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Orzo & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a delightful one-pan dish that combines succulent shrimp with a rich, velvety sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a special occasion, it’s comfort food with an elegant twist!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- Large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Orzo pasta
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Fresh baby spinach
- Heavy cream
- Garlic, minced
- Shallot or half a small yellow onion, finely diced
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Dried Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Thaw shrimp if frozen, pat dry, peel and devein. Mince garlic, finely dice shallot or onion, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and grate Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, sauté for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from pan.
- Build the Flavor Base: In the same pan, add more olive oil and butter if needed. Reduce heat to medium, add shallot (or onion), and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, sauté for another minute.
- Toast the Orzo: Add dry orzo pasta to the pan, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to toast.
- Cook the Orzo in Broth: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until liquid is absorbed and orzo is al dente, about 10-15 minutes.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in heavy cream and half of the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the Greens and Shrimp: Fold in fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Return shrimp to the pan and toss gently.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasonings as needed, serve immediately garnished with remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: Don't overcook the shrimp to avoid rubberiness. Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth sauce. Embrace the sun-dried tomato oil for added flavor. Stir the orzo frequently to enhance creaminess. Adjust spiciness with red pepper flakes as desired.