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Quick Garlic Brown Butter Shrimp Over Creamy Parmesan Orzo

Quick Garlic Brown Butter Shrimp - featured image
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A quick and delicious recipe featuring shrimp sautéed in nutty brown butter with garlic, served over creamy Parmesan orzo pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed if frozen)
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the orzo: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth to a boil. Add 1 cup dry orzo and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender but still slightly firm. Drain excess liquid if necessary.
  2. Make the Parmesan orzo: Return drained orzo to the saucepan. Stir in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese while orzo is hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep warm off the heat.
  3. Prepare the shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add shrimp in a single layer, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sear about 1 minute per side until just opaque but not fully cooked. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Brown the butter: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the skillet. Melt and foam, swirling occasionally until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty (2-3 minutes). Be careful not to burn.
  5. Add garlic and finish shrimp: Add minced garlic to browned butter and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Return shrimp to skillet and toss in brown butter garlic sauce. Cook 1-2 minutes until shrimp are fully cooked and coated.
  6. Serve: Spoon creamy Parmesan orzo onto plates and top with garlic brown butter shrimp. Drizzle leftover sauce over the top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture. Use broth instead of water for cooking orzo to enhance flavor. Stir Parmesan into hot orzo for creamy texture. Add lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based alternative and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp, brown butter, garlic, orzo, Parmesan, quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/quick-garlic-brown-butter-shrimp-over-creamy-parmesan-orzo-recipe-easy-and-delicious/