Shrimp Scampi With Orzo

Published March 19, 2023

Shrimp Scampi With Orzo
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
25 minutes
Rating
5(18,217)
Comments
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The universal appeal of shrimp scampi, frankly, isn’t the shrimp but the pan sauce: garlicky butter lightened with white wine and bursts of lemon, parsley and red-pepper flakes. Scampi is often tossed with pasta or served with crusty bread, but this version instead uses quick-cooking orzo. It simmers directly in the pan sauce, imparting a starchy gloss — and soaking up the garlicky scampi flavors. Toss the shrimp with some garlic, lemon zest and red-pepper flakes to marinate while the pasta gets a head start on the stove, then simply toss the shrimp on top of the orzo to steam. It all comes together in a flash, and feels effortless. Pair this dish with Caesar salad, steamed broccoli or arugula, or bask in its simple comfort, straight from a spoon.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1tablespoon lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1cup orzo
  • cup dry white wine
  • 2cups boiling water, seafood stock or chicken stock
  • 3tablespoons finely chopped parsley
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

403 calories; 18 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 26 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 30 grams protein; 713 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, stir together shrimp, 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, red-pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and half of the garlic. Set aside to marinate. (This step can be done up to 1 hour in advance.)

  2. Step 2

    Add butter, remaining olive oil and remaining garlic to a medium skillet set over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the orzo and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent the garlic from burning. Carefully add the wine — it will bubble — and stir until absorbed, about 1 minute. Stir in water, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until orzo is al dente, about 12 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Add the shrimp in a snug, even layer on top of the orzo, cover, and cook until all the shrimp is pink and cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, 2 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Sprinkle with parsley and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Ratings

5 out of 5
18,217 user ratings
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Comments

Tasty, tasty. I did use Jessica’s suggestion to toast the orzo longer, to a light brown color. Because of that I delayed adding the garlic to avoid burning. Will cook this again.

Easy, very good. IMPORTANT CHANGES: use 1/4 t hot pepper flakes, 1/2 the salt, use 1 1/2 c liquid and taste the orzo after 9 minutes.

I found 2 cups of water left my shrimp swimming. Next time I’ll use 1 1/2.

need slightly less water than suggested, def should do stock over water. super easy

You can make a great shrimp stock, just by cooking the shells and water and then tossing the shells

This was lovely, though my version was much more soupy than the picture. Still good to mop up with a couple of slices of bread. My orzo did not get toasted (maybe I should have waited longer, but I extended the time to about 4-5 minutes. I added a couple of handfuls of torn spinach from the garden, just because. I have a fair amount left over, and I wonder if the orzo will be too limp and tasteless the second day.

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