Description
A creamy, flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender shrimp and perfectly cooked orzo pasta in a rich Parmesan sauce, infused with garlic and dried basil. Quick to prepare and perfect for a delightful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Cooking
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Orzo: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant. Stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Combine: Return the cooked shrimp to the pot with the creamy orzo mixture. Toss everything together to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated and heated through.
- Season and Serve: Season the dish with dried basil, salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve the creamy shrimp and orzo hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to maintain a tender texture.
- Chicken broth can be replaced with vegetable broth for a milder flavor.
- Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts best and enhances flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
