Pesto Shrimp Orzo is an easy, flavorful, and creamy meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes with 4 main ingredients. This orzo pasta is coated in pesto and paired with plump shrimp and tomatoes for a simple weeknight dinner. Perfect for weekday meals as well as meals for a large group.
If you like quick and easy recipes like this, try my pesto tuna pasta recipe or try this pesto chicken skillet with rice or pasta for an easy meal.
Recipe highlights
4 ingredients, 20 minutes, easy to make, crowd-pleasing meal, perfect for busy weeknights, versatile
material
Orzo – This little pasta looks like rice, but it is pasta. You can also use gluten-free pasta since it can be difficult to find gluten-free orzo. Pesto – Use your favorite pesto or create your own. Shrimp – I like to use Trader Joe’s large Argentinian pink shrimp. I like this because it’s peeled and deveined. Be sure to thaw shrimp completely before cooking. Tomatoes – I love adding tomatoes to dishes with pesto. It’s a great pop of color and the flavors match perfectly.
How to make pesto orzo with shrimp
Cook the orzo: Bring water to a boil and cook orzo according to package directions.
Cook the shrimp. Heat a medium-large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, spray with avocado oil (or olive oil) and add shrimp, salt and garlic powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Turn off the fire.
Cut the tomatoes in half.
Reserve the pasta water: Once the orzo is done cooking, reserve 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Assemble the dish: Drain the orzo and add the shrimp, pesto, and tomatoes to the pot. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water and mix well. Add more pasta water if needed.
important tips
It is made with shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, salmon, etc. To make this super easy, use store-bought pesto. If you have extra basil at home, try making your own pesto! To save time, buy peeled and deveined shrimp. I always buy frozen and thaw it within an hour or overnight (if I remember to thaw it the night before). If you forget to thaw your shrimp, you can cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer.
variations
Add more vegetables: Add cooked zucchini, broccoli, bell peppers, asparagus, roasted red peppers, baby spinach, kale, and artichoke hearts Spices: Add crushed red pepper flakes Other proteins: Cooked chicken cubes (sliced chicken or shredded chicken), chickpeas may be used, Italian tofu or salmon bites.
what to eat with pesto orso
FAQ
Where to find gluten-free orzo
Orzo is a pasta similar to short boiled rice. Until recently, there weren’t that many gluten-free options. However, I found two gluten free options that were really delicious.
Can I use homemade pesto?
yes! If you have basil in abundance and want to use your own, use your favorite recipe or try the following:
What if I don’t have orzo?
If you don’t have orzo pasta, you can use rice, pasta, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice.
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Bring water to a boil and cook orzo according to package directions.
While the orzo is cooking, cook the shrimp. Heat a medium-large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, spray with avocado oil (or olive oil) and add shrimp, salt and garlic powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Turn off the fire.
Cut the tomatoes in half.
Once the orzo is done cooking, reserve 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Drain the orzo and add the shrimp, pesto, and tomatoes to the pot. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water and mix well. Add more pasta water if needed.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Important tips:
It is made with shrimp, chicken, chickpeas, salmon, etc.
Use store-bought or homemade pesto.
To save time, buy peeled and deveined shrimp. If frozen, thaw within 1 hour or overnight.
If you forget to thaw your shrimp, you can cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer.
Save leftovers:
Refrigerator: Store leftover shrimp ortho pesto pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezer: You can also freeze the leftovers in freezer-safe containers, but I don’t like the texture of frozen shrimp vs. the texture of thawed shrimp after cooking.
Nutritional information display
Nutritional information table
Amount per serving
Where does the nutritional information come from? Nutritional information is provided by the USDA Food Database.
