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Home » Recipes » Main Courses

Shrimp Scampi with Orzo Pasta

Published: Mar 8, 2021 · Modified: Mar 16, 2023 by Nicole B.

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20 minutes

This buttery, garlicky shrimp scampi with orzo pasta makes a quick, easy and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together in 20 minutes!

For more buttery lemon garlic pasta flavors, also check out this lemon garlic kale pasta with gruyere!

Orzo shrimp scampi in a skillet with a rubber spatula.
Jump to:
  • What’s in shrimp scampi with orzo?
  • Recipe notes, tips and questions:
  • How to make it:
  • More delicious shrimp pasta recipes:
  • Full Printable Recipe
  • Comments

What’s in shrimp scampi with orzo?

Shrimp scampi with orzo is made with all the traditional shrimp scampi ingredients (shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, butter, herbs), plus orzo pasta. The unique, rice-like shape of orzo pasta works great in this dish because the buttery scampi sauce coats the orzo pasta perfectly. (For the same reason orzo also works great with pesto sauce, like in this shrimp orzo pesto salad!) To get a piece of juicy shrimp in every bite make sure to cut the shrimp into bite-sized chunks.

Orzo shrimp scampi ingredients on a kitchen counter.
You need shrimp, oregano, garlic, tomatoes, white pepper, salt, orzo, lemon, olive oil and unsalted butter for this recipe.

Recipe notes, tips and questions:

Why use butter and olive oil rather than just butter for the sauce?

Butter adds its signature flavor to the sauce but pure butter would make it a little too rich. Olive oil adds both flavor and volume to the sauce while also lightening it up.

What size shrimp is best to use for shrimp scampi?

You can use any size shrimp for this recipe because you will be cutting the shrimp into bite-sized chunks.

Is it important to add the garlic after the shrimp?

Yes. If you add the garlic before the shrimp, you run the risk of burning it before the shrimp are done. Since garlic cooks very quickly (in less than a minute), it’s perfect to add it after the shrimp are cooked.

Can I store leftovers?

This dish is best fresh but, yes, you can store leftovers. Transfer them into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How to make it:

See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!

Even though this is not a one-pot meal, it’s still very fast and easy to make and requires little cleanup.

Orzo shrimp scampi preparation in four steps.

Step 1. Cook the orzo pasta.

Step 2. Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet.

Step 3. Add the shrimp and cook until pink.

Step 4. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a quick boil, then add the orzo pasta and serve immediately.

More delicious shrimp pasta recipes:

  • Jerk shrimp pasta on a plate with a spoon.
    Creamy Jamaican Jerk Shrimp Pasta
    Cook Time45 Minutes
  • Orzo pesto salad in a bowl with a spoon.
    Pesto Orzo Salad with Shrimp
    Cook Time30 Minutes
  • Shrimp and sausage pasta red sauce in a pan.
    Shrimp and Sausage Pasta Red Sauce
    Cook Time30 Minutes

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating or comment! Thanks!

Full Printable Recipe

Orzo shrimp scampi in a skillet with a rubber spatula.

Shrimp Scampi with Orzo Pasta

The Spice Train
This shrimp scampi with orzo pasta dish makes a delicious dinner that's ready in 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Calories (estimated) 630 kcal

Equipment:

  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife and cutting board
  • garlic press (optional)
  • citrus zester
  • citrus juicer
  • pot
  • colander
  • cast iron skillet
  • rubber spatula or wooden spoon

Ingredients:
  

  • 4 ounces uncooked orzo pasta (that's a little bit less than ⅔ cup)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 ounces raw shrimp*, thawed, peeled, deveined and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 4 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered, cored and diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¾ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon finely ground white pepper
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano (you need about nine 6-inch sprigs with fully grown leaves or an equivalent amount for that)

Instructions:
 

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta to desired doneness. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce.
  • Add butter and olive oil to a skillet and heat on low until the butter is melted.
  • Turn the heat up to medium, add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque (about 3 minutes).
  • Stir in the garlic and continue to cook for 30 seconds, then turn the heat off.
  • Stir in tomato, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, white pepper and oregano.
  • Turn the heat back on, bring the sauce to a quick boil, then turn the heat off, stir in the cooked orzo and serve immediately.

Notes:

*You can use any size shrimp you like.

Nutrition Information (Estimated):

Calories: 630kcalCarbohydrates: 55.2gProtein: 28.6gFat: 34.4gSaturated Fat: 13.7gCholesterol: 225mgSodium: 510mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 6.7gSugar: 4.5gCalcium: 228mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.

Keywords: orzo shrimp scampi, shrimp scampi with orzo, shrimp scampi with orzo pasta

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