Orzo and Shrimp Dishes: 8 Easy Weeknight Dinners

Orzo and shrimp dishes are one of the fastest-rising dinner searches on Pinterest in Canada, and it is easy to see why. Orzo, the rice-shaped pasta, cooks in about nine minutes. Shrimp cooks in about three. Put them together and you have a dinner that feels like a restaurant plate but takes less than 30 minutes.

Below are eight ways to cook orzo and shrimp dishes at home, from a cold summer-style salad to a baked skillet. Each idea uses ingredients found in any Canadian grocery store, and each can be changed to suit what is in your freezer.

Orzo and Shrimp Dishes: what you need to know first

Frozen raw shrimp is the best buy for most households. It is usually cheaper than the fresh counter, and it thaws in a bowl of cold water in about 15 minutes. Look for “peeled and deveined” and a size of 31/40 (roughly 31 to 40 shrimp per pound) for dishes like these. A 340 to 450 gram bag often runs about $10 to $16 in Canadian grocery stores, though prices vary by region and brand. A 500 gram bag of orzo is typically a few dollars.

Two rules make every recipe below better. First, pat the shrimp dry before it hits the pan so it sears instead of steaming. Second, cook shrimp only until it turns pink and curls into a loose “C”. A tight “O” means it is overcooked.

1. Cold orzo and shrimp salad with cherry tomatoes and corn

Boil one cup of orzo, rinse it under cold water and toss it with halved cherry tomatoes, corn, olive oil, lemon juice and chopped parsley. Top with shrimp seared in a hot pan for two minutes a side. This one keeps well for lunches the next day, which makes it a good Sunday prep dish.

2. Lemon and basil shrimp bowl

Cook orzo in chicken or vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavour. Stir in a spoonful of butter, the zest of one lemon and a handful of torn basil. Lay the shrimp on top. It is the simplest dish on this list and it takes about 20 minutes.

3. Baked tomato and cheese orzo, topped with shrimp

Stir uncooked orzo into a skillet with canned crushed tomatoes, stock, garlic and grated cheese, then bake at 190 C (375 F) for about 25 minutes. Press raw shrimp into the top for the last six to eight minutes. One pan, almost no cleanup, and a good use for a cast-iron skillet.

4. Garlic butter shrimp with mushrooms

Sear sliced mushrooms until they brown, add four cloves of minced garlic and a knob of butter, then add the shrimp. Spoon the whole pan over hot orzo and finish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon. Mushrooms are a budget-friendly way to stretch a small bag of shrimp.

5. Roasted mushroom and carrot orzo with shrimp

This is a cold-weather version that uses Canadian root vegetables. Roast diced carrots and mushrooms at 220 C (425 F) for 20 minutes, toss with cooked orzo and pumpkin seeds, and add pan-seared shrimp at the end.

6. Tomato and herb shrimp skillet

Blister cherry tomatoes in olive oil until they burst, add shrimp, a splash of white wine or stock, and thyme or oregano. Crumble feta on top and serve over orzo. The tomatoes make their own sauce, so there is nothing else to prepare.

7. Creamy parsley shrimp and orzo

Cook orzo in a little less water than usual, then stir in cream or a spoonful of cream cheese, grated Parmesan and the cooked shrimp. Orzo releases starch as it cooks, so the sauce turns silky without much effort.

8. Orzo “risotto” with shrimp

Toast the orzo in butter, then add warm stock a ladle at a time while stirring. It takes about 12 minutes, compared with 30 or more for rice risotto. Finish with Parmesan and top with shrimp.

Extra ideas: grilled shrimp and one-pan pasta

If you have a barbecue or grill pan, skewer shrimp, brush with olive oil, lime and chili flakes, and grill two minutes a side. Lay them over lemony orzo for a lighter plate.

For a one-pan dinner, simmer orzo directly in tomato sauce and stock, stirring often, then add the shrimp for the last three minutes. There is one pot to wash.

Where to buy in Canada

Orzo and frozen shrimp are sold at every major Canadian grocery chain. If you would rather order pantry items and cookware online, browse orzo pasta on Amazon.ca and cast-iron skillets on Amazon.ca, or see our Amazon storefront. Canada News Media earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

Food safety note: cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink, thaw it in the fridge or in cold water, never at room temperature, and keep leftovers in the fridge for no more than two days.

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