Mediterranean Baked Shrimp Orzo

Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo is a complete wholesome one pot meal, consisting of all four food groups. Delicious sautéed vegetables add depth and nutrients to this baked orzo, which features large shrimp and orzo pasta that is oven-baked until juicy and tender, with a sprinkle of feta cheese on top that brings together the fresh Mediterranean flavors in this dish. Although this recipe is simple to make (and easy to clean up after!), the result is impressive. This fancy dinner is perfect for date night and comes together in just 30 minutes, making it also perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love Baked Shrimp Orzo

• Everybody loves orzo. Orzo in Italian translates to barley, and a lot of people think of orzo as a type of grain or rice. But orzo is a small pasta that works great in soups and sides like Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup and Mediterranean orzo pasta salad. For this dish, orzo is a key ingredient. When fully cooked, it is tender and lends a creamy texture to this baked shrimp orzo dish.
• Baked shrimp is tender and delicious. When cooked right (at a high temperature for the correct amount of time), fresh shrimp comes out tender, juicy, and flavorful, especially when smothered in savory tomato sauce. This shrimp has the best texture.
• Comfort food that is healthy with nutrients. Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo is the ultimate comfort food. It’s dense, savory, filling, and packed full of nutrients. With mushrooms, onions, garlic, and tomatoes inside, you don’t need to worry about finding greens to serve on the side. And with the carbs and clean protein from the shrimp, you’ve got a well-balanced meal!

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make this delicious Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):

• shrimp - for this recipe, use large, thawed shrimp. If you substitute frozen or small shrimp, the cooking time in the oven for the shrimp won’t match the cooking time for the orzo—resulting in over- or under-cooked shrimp or orzo. Also, using fresh shrimp the day you bought it will deliver the best taste.
• orzo
• olive oil
• brown mushrooms
• onion
• garlic
• diced tomatoes
• chicken broth - feel free to substitute with vegetable broth instead.
• seasoning - Italian seasoning (or dried oregano), salt, and pepper.
• feta cheese

You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet.

How to Make the Best Mediterranean Baked Shrimp Orzo

1. Heat aromatics. Heat oil in a large 12-inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic and sauté until tender and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add liquids. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Turn the heat down to medium and stir well to mix. Bring the mixture to a simmer, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add orzo. Stir in orzo and season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. 

4. Add shrimp and feta. Arrange shrimp evenly over orzo and sprinkle feta cheese on top.
5. Bake. Bake in a 400F preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the shrimp turn opaque. Orzo should double in size when it is cooked. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6. Serve. Drizzle with lemon juice, fresh basil, and additional feta, if desired, and serve.

More Shrimp Recipes

• 30 Best Shrimp Recipes
• Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
• Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Creamy Garlic Shrimp
• Baked Coconut Shrimp

Recipe

Mediterranean Baked Shrimp Orzo

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

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Description

Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo is a complete wholesome one pot meal with delicious sautéed vegetables, juicy shrimp, and orzo pasta. Make it in 30 minutes. 

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup brown mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked orzo
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 lb. large shrimp (about 16 pieces), peeled and deveined
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (and more for serving)
• lemon wedges, sliced (optional, for serving)
• fresh basil, chopped (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Heat oil in a large 12-inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic and sauté until tender and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Turn the heat down to medium and stir well to mix. Bring the mixture to a simmer, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in orzo and season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Arrange shrimp evenly over orzo and sprinkle feta cheese on top.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the shrimp turn opaque. Orzo should double in size when it is cooked. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with lemon juice, fresh basil, and additional feta, if desired, and serve.

Notes

How to store: Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo is best eaten hot and fresh, but you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. The sooner you eat it, the better!

How to reheat: I recommend reheating this in the oven at 300 F for about 10 minutes until warmed through, or on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. I don't recommend reheating shrimp in the microwaves, as it can make them tough and rubbery.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Seafood
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

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