Description
A comforting, restaurant-quality one-pot meal that combines succulent shrimp, tender orzo, and fresh spinach. By simmering the orzo directly in a flavorful broth and milk mixture, you create a velvety, creamy sauce without needing heavy cream. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers sophisticated flavors in under 30 minutes, minimizing cleanup while maximizing satisfaction.
Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and sliced)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound dried orzo pasta
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups whole milk
5 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the vegetables by dicing the onion, mincing the garlic, and slicing the sun-dried tomatoes.
Pat the shrimp dry and season with a pinch of salt.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Sauté the onion for 3 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, orzo, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; stir for 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally for about 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender and liquid is reduced.
Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and cooked through.
Stir in the fresh baby spinach and Parmesan cheese until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Use high-quality chicken broth or stock for deeper flavor. Ensure the shrimp are not overcooked by adding them only in the final stages. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of extra broth or water to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 165mg