Lemon Feta Orzo Shrimp (Printable Version)
A vibrant Mediterranean dish featuring tender shrimp, zesty lemon, creamy feta, and delicate orzo tossed together for a refreshing meal.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 cup orzo pasta
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt for pasta water
→ Shrimp
04 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
12 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Cheese
14 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and set aside.
02 - While the orzo cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add cherry tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes until just softened.
05 - Add chopped spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir until the spinach is wilted.
06 - Add the cooked orzo and shrimp back to the skillet. Toss everything gently to combine and heat through, about 1–2 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and chopped parsley. Toss gently and serve immediately.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking
- The feta creates this creamy, tangy sauce without any heavy cream
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery fast, so pull them the moment they turn pink and opaque
- Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining in case you want to loosen the texture
- The feta will soften slightly but keep its texture, so don't expect it to fully melt
03 -
- Room temperature shrimp cook more evenly, so let them sit out for fifteen minutes before hitting the pan
- Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith