Garlic Orzo Tuscan Shrimp

This Garlic Orzo Tuscan Shrimp is coated in a light and creamy Parmesan cheese sauce filled with garlic, roasted red peppers, baby bella mushrooms, onion and spinach.

This has really great flavor and the majority of it, other than cooking the orzo pasta, is done in one pan. This recipe was updated and is also known as Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp.

Why I love this recipe

This recipe is easy and quick, ready in just 20 minutes yet it's beautiful enough to impress a discerning eye. This small batch recipe for two makes a great lunch, dinner, or impressive romantic date night meal.

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Ingredients

(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

orzo pasta

butter

jarred minced garlic

shrimp (I buy peeled, deveined, tails off)

yellow onion

baby bella mushrooms

jarred roasted red peppers

heavy cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

baby spinach leaves

shredded Parmesan cheese

dried Italian herbs

fresh chopped parsley

Substitutions

We swapped out the sun dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers because we like it even better that way but you can use either. Some also enjoy grape tomatoes cut in half.

Equipment used for this recipe

• cutting board
• medium sauce pan
• colander
• large skillet

Need a dessert to go with it? Try this Red Velvet Cake for Two, these Brownies with fresh Raspberry Sauce, or these Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes

Orzo is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. Orzo can be served alone, as a soup accompaniment, as part of a salad, pilaf, or baked in a casserole.

How to make Garlic Orzo Tuscan Shrimp

Step 1 - On a cutting board, dice the onion and slice the mushrooms.

Step 2 - Bring a medium sauce pan of water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta per package instructions, about 8 or 9 minutes. Drain the orzo using a colander and set aside.

Step 3 - While the orzo is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.

Step 4 - Add in the minced garlic and shrimp and fry two minutes on each side, until cooked through and pink. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.

Step 5 - Add the onions and mushrooms to the butter remaining in the skillet.

Step 6 - Stir in the roasted red peppers and fry for 1 - 2 minutes.

Step 7 - Reduce heat to medium low heat and add the heavy cream bringing it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 8 - Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 9 - Stir in the spinach leaves and shredded Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer for about a minute until cheese melts.

Step 10 - Sprinkle the herbs and parsley over the mix and stir to combine.

Step 11 - Stir the shrimp and cooked orzo into the mixture. Serve and Enjoy.

Pro tips

I buy shrimp that is packaged and is already peeled, deveined, and has tails removed. If you have to do these things yourself the prep time will take longer than listed.

Recipe FAQs

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• Tuscan Chicken Sandwich
• Tuscan Chicken Soup
• Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken
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• Shrimp Alfredo