Marry Me Shrimp Orzo
Marry Me Shrimp Orzo is a rich and flavorful one-skillet dinner that’s impossible to resist. Juicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp, creamy orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan all come together in a velvety, comforting dish that feels both elevated and cozy. It’s perfect for date night, dinner parties, or any time you want to impress, without the stress.
Before You Get Started
Make sure your shrimp are peeled and deveined before you begin. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the creamiest finish. Keep a little extra chicken broth on hand—depending on your stove and pan, the orzo might need a splash more liquid to finish cooking evenly.
What You Need To Make Marry Me Shrimp Orzo
You’ll find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card, but here’s what you’ll need:
- Shrimp
- Butter
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Badia Complete seasoning
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Orzo
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan
- Fresh basil
- Optional: spinach
How To Make Marry Me Shrimp Orzo
1
Cook the shrimp: Clean and season shrimp. In a large skillet, melt butter and cook shrimp until pink and slightly crisp. Remove and set aside.
2
Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes: Add cherry and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the cherry tomatoes begin to burst.
3
Toast orzo: Stir in dry orzo and toast for 5–6 minutes, stirring often.
Simmer: Add in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until orzo is tender. Stir occasionally and add more broth if needed.
4
Finish it: Stir in Parmesan and optional spinach. Return the shrimp to the pan and top with fresh basil.
Serve: Spoon into bowls and serve hot!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just be sure to thaw and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.
What can I use instead of orzo?
Pearl couscous or small pasta shapes can be swapped in, but adjust cook time as needed.
Can I make it ahead?
It’s best served fresh, but you can prep the shrimp and sauce components in advance and finish cooking the orzo when ready to eat.
Marry Me Shrimp Orzo
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 pounds shrimp peeled
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Badia complete
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan freshly grated
- Fresh basil
- Optional : spinach
Instructions
- Clean and devein shrimp, season and cook in butter in a skillet. Remove and set aside
- In the same pan add onions and garlic and let sauté for 3 minutes. Then add in your tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Let all cook together until the tomatoes burst.
- Add in dry orzo and toast for 5-6 minutes, constantly stirring. Then add in broth and heavy cream. Let it come to a simmer, cover and cook until orzo is cooked through. Be sure to check in and stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom, add a little more broth if needed at any point it drys out.
- once done, Add in the optional spinach and Parmesan cheese. Top with fresh basil
