Lemon Feta Orzo Shrimp (Printable)

A bright Mediterranean dish featuring shrimp, lemon, and feta over tender orzo pasta.

# 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

# 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor absorption
  • The combination of tangy feta and bright lemon cuts through the richness of perfectly seared shrimp
  • Ready in 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant that requires reservations
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery, so watch closely and remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque throughout
  • The feta will soften and create a creamy sauce as it melts into the warm orzo, which is exactly what you want
  • Lemon juice can become bitter if cooked too long, so add it at the very end to preserve its bright, fresh flavor
03 -
  • Pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking, which ensures they develop a nice golden sear instead of steaming in their own moisture
  • Reserve a splash of pasta water before draining the orzo, which can help create a silky sauce if needed when combining everything

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