Garlic and Basil Shrimp and Tomatoes over Orzo
My kids wanted me to make shrimp for dinner, so I came up with this tasty garlic and basil shrimp and tomatoes over orzo recipe. This quick and simple shrimp recipe was enjoyed by my entire family, and we thought it paired nicely with a kale Caesar salad and crusty bread.
Garlic and Basil Shrimp and Tomatoes over Orzo
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Dash of red pepper flakes, or more to taste
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dried orzo, pasta cooked according to the package instructions, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water
- Parmesan cheese, shaved
How to Make Garlic and Basil Shrimp and Tomatoes over Orzo:
Marinate the shrimp by combining the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, in a zip-lock bag. Seal and place into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Prepare the orzo in a large saucepan according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water. Season the drained orzo with butter, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Add some reserved pasta water, if needed.Â
Meanwhile, cook the shrimp by heating the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp when the pan is hot and cook, turning once until just cooked through, about 1 minute per side.
Remove from the skillet to a plate, then cover with a foil tent.
Add the tomatoes to the same skillet and cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chicken broth and reduce over high heat for 3-5 minutes until at least half has evaporated. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
Add the shrimp and their juices back to the skillet along with the remaining basil.
To serve, spoon some buttery orzo into a bowl, then add the shrimp, tomatoes, and sauce over the top.
Garnish with shaved parmesan. Enjoy.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup fresh basil finely chopped (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Dash of red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- 1 cup dried orzo pasta cooked per instructions, reserving ¼ cup cooking water
- Parmesan cheese shaved
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp by combining the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, in a zip-lock bag. Seal and place into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Prepare the orzo in a large saucepan according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of cooking water. Season the drained orzo with butter, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Add some reserved pasta water, if needed.Â
- Meanwhile, cook the shrimp by heating the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp when the pan is hot and cook, turning once until just cooked through, about 1 minute per side.
- Remove from the skillet to a plate, then cover with a foil tent.
- Add the tomatoes to the same skillet and cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and reduce over high heat for 3-5 minutes until at least half has evaporated. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
- Add the shrimp and their juices back to the skillet along with the remaining basil.
- Â To serve, spoon some buttery orzo into a bowl, then add the shrimp, tomatoes, and sauce over the top.
- Garnish with shaved parmesan. Enjoy.
I haven’t had shrimp in ages but now I’m craving it so bad. It’s hard to make a shrimp dinner when my other half hates it, so next time I’m having a solo night, this is totally going to be it. Thanks!
I like prowns very much. I think that also be a tasty for me.
Whoa…this looks good. I love orzo with anything! Would you believe me husband does not like orzo? How crazy is that!
Sounds delicious!
I’ve made a similar dish but had everything over pasta…. it’s so simple and sooooo very tasty!!!
Yum, what a beautiful dish. It says “summer” to me. Hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation, Pam.
It looks very tasty.
This looks so delicious, Pam! I will have to sub chicken for the shrimp, sadly, due to my allergy, though!
I love simple and easy recipes. My kiddos are crazy for shrimp and pasta. I’m sure this will be a hit in our house!
Wow! This dish looks delicious. So simple but I know it’s got to be flavorful. Great post!
This looks wonderful yet easy. I pinned for when my shrimp loving nephew comes to visit I am making this for him.
What a colorful treatment for orzo! That looks divine (and deveined, lol).
I do pretty much the same thing, except with spinach added to the mix. It is a wonderful dish.
Con mis ingredientes favoritos se ve fabulosa con aroma albahaca,hugs,hugs.
I love that your kids actually requested shrimp!! Sounds like a great meal!
Hello, this dish looks delicious, except my husband has celiac disease so needs a gluten-free diet. He can’t eat orzo. Can we put the shrimp over rice or gluten-free pasta? Wonder if that would work too.
I think it would be delicious over rice or gluten free pasta! Enjoy.
Fabulous looking dinner! I know your kids LOVED it, mine would too!
These are the kind of meals I’m eating these days, nice and simple yet tasty.
Shrimp hasn’t been too crazy pricey lately, thank goodness.
This looks delicious. I love shrimp dishes such as this.
A very delicious orzo dish with shrimp and seasonal tomatoes…simple yet so flavourful!
love prawns and the little tomatos look hbeautiful!yy
love prawns and the little tomatos look beautiful!
Basil and shrimp – another great combination.
I love orzo! This looks awesome and perfect for summer!