Mediterranean shrimp orzo

Here’s a bright, flavorful recipe for Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo — loaded with garlic, herbs, lemon, juicy shrimp, and fresh vegetables. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner!

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🍤🍋 Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo

🕒 Time: 30 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 4

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo pasta

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)

• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and warmth)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1½ cups baby spinach

• ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced (optional)

• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions:

1. Cook Orzo:

   • Cook orzo according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté Shrimp:

   • While orzo cooks, season shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, and half the oregano.

   • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.

   • Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Cook Vegetables:

   • In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.

   • Add cherry tomatoes and spinach. Cook 2–3 minutes until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts.

4. Combine:

   • Lower heat and add cooked orzo to the skillet.

   • Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, olives, and remaining oregano. Toss to coat.

   • Add shrimp back to the pan and gently mix.

   • Taste and adjust seasoning.

5. Finish:

   • Top with crumbled feta and fresh parsley.

   • Serve warm or at room temperature with extra lemon wedges.

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✅ Tips:

• Swap spinach with arugula or kale.

• Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth.

• Make it spicy with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

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Would you like a creamy version, or one with a white wine or tomato-based sauce?