Easy Orzo with Shrimp Recipe for a Quick Dinner
My friends, I am beyond excited to share with you an incredible recipe that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! Get ready for my Orzo With Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine recipe.
This dish is jam-packed with flavor, from the succulent shrimp, tangy feta cheese, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta. But what really sets this recipe apart is the addition of dry white wine – which adds a bright, refreshing note to the dish that complements all of the other flavors perfectly.
If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, then you are in for a treat! This dish boasts some strong Mediterranean flavors such as garlic, oregano and basil. It’s perfect for a cozy night in with your loved ones or to impress your dinner guests. Trust me, this recipe will become a staple in your repertoire once you give it a try.
So grab your chef’s hat and let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
My friend, let me tell you why you’re going to LOVE this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine Recipe.
First of all, the combination of flavors and textures is nothing short of a masterpiece! You have the juicy and succulent shrimp that are cooked to perfection with dry white wine, garlic and dried oregano that infuses a fragrant aroma into every bite. Along with the fluffy orzo rice-shaped pasta that is coated in all the bright flavors of feta cheese and diced tomatoes with juice that gives it just the right amount of acidity.
But wait, there’s more! Let’s not forget about the fragrant fresh basil, crunchy pine nuts, and dry crushed red pepper flakes that comes together in perfect harmony.
Now if that doesn’t convince you, let me remind you of the ease of this recipe – all cooked in one pan makes for easy clean up. Plus, with a cook time under 30 minutes, you can have dinner on the table in no time!
And as if that wasn’t enough, this dish is also incredibly versatile. You want to spice things up? Add more red pepper flakes or chili oil. Want to get creative? Add some arugula or roasted zucchini for extra color and crunch.
Trust me when I say that this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine Recipe will quickly become one of your go-to dishes for any occasion.
Ingredient List
Let me walk you through the ingredient list for this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine Recipe that will make your taste buds explode. This Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish is filled with fresh and vibrant ingredients that add an extra depth of flavor to the recipe.
- Olive oil: 6 tablespoons olive oil.
- Garlic cloves: 4 garlic cloves, minced.
- Medium shrimp: 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined.
- Dry white wine: 1 cup dry white wine, divided into ¼ cup and ¾ cup.
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
- Dry crushed red pepper: ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Diced tomatoes with juice: One can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice.
- Orzo pasta: 8 oz uncooked orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta).
- Fresh basil: ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Parmesan cheese:½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Feta cheese: 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese, divided into ¾ cup and ¼ cup.
- Pine nuts, toasted: 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted.
All the ingredients are readily available at your nearby grocery store. Let’s dive into it step-by-step in the upcoming sections to make your cooking experience smoother.
The Recipe How-To
Let’s get straight into it! This recipe is so easy to make and it will be on the table in no time. Here’s how.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. orzo pasta
- 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp. dry crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
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Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the shrimp with garlic and red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until just pink, about 2 minutes per side.
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Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
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Add the white wine to the same skillet and stir well to mix with the garlic residue left behind in the pan.
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Bring to a simmer and reduce by half, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
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Add the cooked orzo pasta to the skillet with the reduced white wine sauce.
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Toss well until combined, then stir in the crumbled feta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, remaining olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
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Finally, add back in the reserved cooked shrimp to warm through for another minute or two.
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Serve immediately, garnished with more feta cheese or chopped fresh basil.
Enjoy this mouth-watering shrimp orzo recipe as an easy weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat!
Substitutions and Variations
Now, let’s talk about the different substitutions and variations you can make to adjust this recipe to your taste or dietary needs, without compromising its original flavors.
First of all, if you are not a fan of shrimp, you can easily swap it for chicken breast or cubes of firm tofu. Both ingredients will absorb the delicious flavors of the white wine sauce and add protein to the dish.
If you don’t have orzo pasta on hand, feel free to use regular rice-shaped pasta such as risotto or even quinoa. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of pasta you choose.
For a vegan version of this recipe, you can skip the feta cheese and replace it with some crumbled vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. Also, replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to cook the pasta.
For some extra crunchiness and nuttiness, add some pine nuts or sliced almonds on top of your dish before serving.
For a spicier version of this recipe, add some more crushed red pepper flakes or even a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce while cooking. Alternatively, you can try blackening the shrimp prior to adding them to the pasta for an extra kick.
Finally, if you want to boost its nutritional value and incorporate some greens into your meal, serve it along with a side salad of arugula or baby spinach dressed in lemon vinaigrette.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing this delicious orzo with shrimp, feta cheese, and white wine recipe, there are so many wonderful options to choose from.
Firstly, let’s talk about serving. You can serve this dish straight out of the pot or transfer it to a casserole dish for family-style serving. To add some crunch, sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top before serving.
Now let’s move on to pairing. The dry white wine used in this recipe is perfect for complimenting the flavors of the shrimp and feta cheese. If you want to stick to the same kind of wine that you used in the recipe, then go ahead and grab a bottle of your favorite dry white wine.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous with your pairings, try a Chenin Blanc or a Pinot Grigio which will also work well with this dish.
As for side dishes, a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette would be the perfect accompaniment to bring out the bright flavors in this dish. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something heavier, try some roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
Overall, this orzo with shrimp, feta cheese, and white wine is such a versatile recipe that can be paired with many sides and wines. The options are endless!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Listen up foodies, because I have some valuable information to share with you on this recipe’s make-ahead, storing and reheating capabilities. This Orzo With Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine Recipe is a fantastic choice for meal prep or hosting dinner parties ahead of time, as it can be made in advance and heated before serving to your guests.
To make this dish ahead of time, simply prepare the recipe up until the point after you have added the diced tomatoes with juice and white wine. After stirring the ingredients together, remove from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. Once cooled off, store this meal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat whilst stirring occasionally until the desired temperature is reached.
You can even freeze any leftovers for later use, just make sure to properly seal it in an airtight container without including any toppings such as feta cheese or basil. When reheating frozen dishes like this, let them fully thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating using one of the previously mentioned methods.
Now that we’ve covered the make-ahead and storing aspect, let’s move onto how you can reheat any leftovers without losing that delicious taste. If you happen to have any leftover Orzo With Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine Recipe that you’d like to reheat, there are a few ways you can do this. One way is by microwaving individual servings for around 2-3 minutes at a medium-high power level until heated all way through. Alternatively, reheat the dish in a saucepan over low heat whilst stirring occasionally until hot.
No matter which method you choose to reheat this dish, just know that its full flavor profile will remain intact. So go ahead and enjoy this flavorful Orzo With Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine Recipe even on a busy weeknight or the day after you made it!
Tips for Perfect Results
Let me tell you something, my friends: the key to nailing this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine recipe is in the details. The right amount of seasoning, perfect timing, and a good technique will make your dish stand out from the rest. As an experienced chef and sommelier, I have some tips that will help you achieve perfect results every time you make this dish.
Firstly, make sure to cook your orzo just right. You want it al dente – firm to the bite but still tender inside. Overcooking can lead to mushy orzo that won’t hold up its delicate flavors. Remember to salt your pasta water – this will add flavor to the orzo as it cooks.
When it comes to the shrimp, use high-quality medium-sized shrimp and peel them beforehand. Leave the tails on for presentation purposes, but remove all other parts. If you’re in a hurry, you can use pre-cooked shrimp, but fresh shrimp always tastes better.
For this recipe, I highly recommend using dry white wine instead of cooking wine. Cooking wine usually has salt and other preservatives added to it and can leave a slight aftertaste. A good dry white wine will enhance the flavors of your dish without overwhelming them.
To avoid overpowering your dish with garlic, use only two or three cloves of garlic, finely minced. If you love garlic as much as I do, feel free to increase the number of cloves slightly, but don’t go overboard.
Lastly, do not overcrumble your feta cheese when adding it to the dish. You want small enough chunks that they will meld nicely once stirred into the pasta mixture, but not so small that they disappear into the sauce.
By following these tips and tricks for perfect results, you’ll be able to cook up some mouthwatering Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine.
Bottom Line
With this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine recipe, you’ll impress your guests and satisfy your cravings in no time. The contrast between the creamy feta and tangy lemon pairs perfectly with the tender shrimp and nutty orzo, creating a satisfying flavor explosion in every bite.
What’s more, this recipe is both budget-friendly and effortless to prepare, making it a must-try for home cooks of all skill levels. You can also customize it with different flavors or ingredients to fit your preferences, from spicy red pepper flakes to sweet cherry tomatoes.
So why not treat yourself to a restaurant-quality meal at home tonight? Gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, stir in some dry white wine, and savor every flavorful bite of this Orzo with Shrimp, Feta Cheese, and White Wine recipe. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed!
Orzo With Shrimp, Feta Cheese and White Wine Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lb medium shrimp, uncooked, peeled and deveined
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper
- 1/4-1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush 11x7 inch pan with oil.
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain well and return to pot. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup feta cheese, parmesan, and 2 tablespoons basil; stir until blended. (at this point you can add some roasted pine nuts, if you wish).
- Arrange orzo mixture in prepared pan.
- Heat 2 tbsps. oil in large skillet over med-high heat.
- Add shrimp and saute until slightly pink, about 2 minutes (shrimp will NOT be cooked through). Arrange shrimp on top orzo.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to skillet. Add garlic and saute over medium-high heat 30 seconds. Add tomatoes with juice; cook 1 minute. Stir in wine, oregano, crushed red pepper, and remaining 1/4 cup basil. Simmer uncovered until reduced to thick sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper; spoon over shrimp.
- Bake orzo until heated through, about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup feta cheese and serve.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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