Effortless One-Pot Shrimp and Pea Orzo: Your Go-To Weeknight Dinner
Life can be incredibly busy, and at the end of a long day, the last thing anyone wants is a complicated meal that leaves a mountain of dishes. That’s why one-pot wonders have become an absolute lifesaver in my kitchen, and I bet they are in yours too! There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from creating a delicious, complete meal for your family using just one main pan, making you feel like a culinary superhero who has truly conquered the demands of dinnertime.
My love affair with one-pot recipes is stronger than ever. They’re not just about convenience; they’re about simplifying the cooking process without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. This One-Pot Shrimp and Pea Orzo is a perfect example. It’s incredibly straightforward, light, and bursting with fresh flavors, yet it requires minimal effort and cleanup. Even my most discerning eaters, who usually approach new dishes with skepticism, devoured this one with enthusiasm. It’s quickly become a staple in our rotation, and I’m thrilled to share this easy, family-friendly recipe with you.
Why This Shrimp and Pea Orzo Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
There are countless reasons to adore this shrimp and pea orzo, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or any time you crave a comforting yet light meal. Let’s dive into why this recipe truly shines:
- Unbeatable Convenience: While the orzo is cooked separately at first, the magic happens when all the ingredients come together in one pot for the final assembly. This significantly cuts down on active cooking time and, more importantly, minimizes the dreaded post-dinner cleanup. Less scrubbing, more relaxing!
- Lightning Fast: From start to finish, this dish can be on your table in under 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence, but you still want to provide a homemade, nutritious meal.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of plump shrimp, sweet peas, aromatic herbs like paprika and thyme, and a bright lemon finish creates a symphony of flavors. It’s hearty enough to satisfy but light enough not to leave you feeling heavy.
- Family-Friendly Appeal: Orzo pasta is a shape that kids often love, and the vibrant green peas add a touch of color and sweetness. Shrimp is a lean protein that cooks quickly, making it an excellent choice for a healthy meal everyone can enjoy.
- Versatile and Adaptable: While the recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also highly adaptable. You can easily add other vegetables, adjust the spices, or even swap out the protein if you wish, making it a flexible foundation for many delicious variations.
The Inspiration Behind This Delightful Dish
This fantastic recipe comes from a cookbook I deeply admire: my friend Aimée Wimbush-Bourque’s newest release, The Simple Bites Kitchen. Aimée sent me a copy last fall when it first hit the shelves, and I’ve been consistently impressed with every recipe I’ve tried. Her approach to cooking is all about making delicious, wholesome food accessible and enjoyable, which resonates deeply with my own philosophy in the kitchen. From her perfectly baked buttermilk chicken strips to her indulgent french toast with cinnamon maple butter, her recipes are reliable, flavorful, and always a hit with my family.
Just last week, as spring began to truly blossom, I found myself pulling Aimée’s book off the shelf again, searching for something light and seasonal. My eyes immediately landed on this Shrimp and Pea Orzo. It practically leaped off the page, promising everything I was looking for: speed, simplicity, and a fresh taste. A quick trip to the grocery store for a few fresh ingredients, and voila! — it was on our dinner table that very night. It was so good, in fact, that I strategically hoarded the delicious leftovers for my lunch the next day, a testament to its undeniable appeal.
Mastering the Ingredients: Tips for Perfect Shrimp and Pea Orzo
While this recipe is wonderfully simple, a few tips regarding the main ingredients can elevate your dish from great to absolutely exceptional. Understanding how to handle orzo and shrimp properly ensures the best texture and flavor every time.
The Art of Cooking Orzo Pasta
Orzo, a small, rice-shaped pasta, is incredibly versatile and absorbs flavors beautifully. Like most pasta, the key to perfectly cooked orzo is boiling it in well-salted water. A general guideline is to use approximately 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of orzo, but always check the specific package instructions, as cooking times can vary slightly between brands. The goal is to cook it until it’s “al dente” – meaning it has softened but still retains a slight firmness when bitten. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly, but avoid rinsing it. Rinsing can remove the beneficial starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta, diminishing the overall richness of the dish. Set it aside until it’s ready to be incorporated into the flavorful shrimp and pea mixture.
Essential Tips for Preparing and Cooking Shrimp
Shrimp is a fantastic protein choice for quick meals because it cooks incredibly fast. To make your life even easier, opt for shrimp that have already been peeled and de-veined. This saves a significant amount of prep time. You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp, both work wonderfully. If using frozen, ensure they are completely thawed and well-drained before adding them to your recipe. A quick and easy way to thaw frozen shrimp is to place them in a colander and run them under lukewarm water for a few minutes until defrosted, then pat them dry. When it comes to the tails, it’s a matter of personal preference. Leaving the tails on can make for a more elegant presentation, especially if serving to guests, but removing them before cooking makes the dish much simpler to eat, particularly for children. The most important tip for cooking shrimp is to avoid overcooking them, as they can quickly become tough and rubbery. Shrimp are cooked when they turn pink and opaque throughout, usually just 2-3 minutes per side, or 4-5 minutes total, depending on their size.
Flavor Boosters: Herbs, Wine, and Lemon
The spices and aromatics in this dish are carefully selected to provide a warm, herbaceous depth that perfectly complements the delicate flavors of shrimp and peas. Sweet paprika adds a mild, peppery warmth and a beautiful golden hue. Dried oregano and fresh thyme (or dried, if fresh isn’t available) contribute an earthy, aromatic base. The addition of white wine isn’t just for flavor; its acidity helps to deglaze the pan and adds a subtle brightness to the sauce. If you prefer not to use alcohol, an equal amount of vegetable broth can be substituted. Finally, the zest and juice of a fresh lemon, added at the very end, are crucial. The lemon zest provides an intense citrus aroma, while the juice brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness and enhancing the fresh taste of the peas and shrimp. Don’t skip the lemon – it truly makes the flavors pop!
Making it Your Own: Variations and Serving Suggestions
This One-Pot Shrimp and Pea Orzo is a star on its own, but it’s also a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Feel free to experiment with these variations:
- Add More Veggies: Stir in some baby spinach, finely chopped asparagus, or cherry tomatoes during the last few minutes of cooking for extra nutrients and color.
- Herb Swaps: While thyme and oregano are wonderful, you could also try a pinch of dill for a more Mediterranean twist, or fresh parsley for a burst of green.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other spices.
- Cheesy Goodness: While Parmesan is suggested, a sprinkle of feta or goat cheese could add a delightful tang. For a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast can offer a cheesy flavor.
- Protein Alternatives: If shrimp isn’t your preference or you’re out, diced cooked chicken, small cubes of firm tofu, or even cannellini beans could work in a pinch, though cooking times would need to be adjusted.
For serving, this dish is quite complete on its own. However, if you’re looking to round out the meal, consider:
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up any delicious sauce.
- A side of roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
No matter how you choose to customize it, this shrimp and pea orzo is sure to be a delightful and fuss-free addition to your meal rotation.
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One-Pot Shrimp and Pea Orzo
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Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta (420 grams)
- 1 ¼ cup vegetable broth or stock (300 ml)
- ¼ cup white wine (60 ml)
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 5 green onions , sliced
- 12 ounces shrimp (340 grams)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Parmesan cheese , for serving (optional)
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo pasta and cook into according to directions on the package, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Return the pot to the stove and add the vegetable stock and wine. Stir in the paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic.
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Bring mixture to a boil, then add peas and green onions.
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Bring mixture to a boil again, then add shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until shrimp cook all the way through and turn pink.
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Return the orzo to the pan along with the lemon juice, lemon zest and butter. Cook for a few minutes until orzo soaks up the sauce.
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Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese, if desired.