Easy 1-Pan Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Shrimp
Easy 1-Pan Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Shrimp
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 32 ounces orzo
- 7 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large, deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely seared and slightly charred. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In the same pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the orzo to the pan and toast, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Pour 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth over the orzo. Stir well to combine. Add the freshly cracked black pepper, and if desired, the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Continue cooking the orzo, adding the remaining 6 cups of chicken broth 1 cup at a time. Allow each addition of broth to be mostly absorbed by the orzo before adding the next, stirring frequently. This process should take about 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is tender and creamy.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Once the orzo is tender, pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add the 8 ounces of finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the orzo. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy, cheesy consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Transfer the cheesy orzo pasta to serving plates or bowls. Arrange the seared shrimp alongside or on top of the orzo. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Easy 1-Pan Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Shrimp
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 32 ounces orzo
- 7 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large, deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely seared and slightly charred. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In the same pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the orzo to the pan and toast, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Pour 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth over the orzo. Stir well to combine. Add the freshly cracked black pepper, and if desired, the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Continue cooking the orzo, adding the remaining 6 cups of chicken broth 1 cup at a time. Allow each addition of broth to be mostly absorbed by the orzo before adding the next, stirring frequently. This process should take about 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is tender and creamy.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Once the orzo is tender, pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add the 8 ounces of finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese to the orzo. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and fully incorporated, creating a creamy, cheesy consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Transfer the cheesy orzo pasta to serving plates or bowls. Arrange the seared shrimp alongside or on top of the orzo. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min