Description
Zesty lemon feta orzo roasted shrimp brings Mediterranean flavors right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Tender shrimp nestled among herby orzo creates a quick, satisfying meal that feels like a seaside escape without leaving your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb large shrimp
Supporting Starches:
- 12 oz orzo pasta
Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 oz feta cheese
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- 1 lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425F. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for the shrimp.
- Coat 1 lb large shrimp with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and lemon zest.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 8-10 minutes until they turn opaque and are just cooked through.
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook 12 oz orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain orzo and return to pot. While hot, stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup baby spinach, ¼ cup parsley, and ¼ cup dill. Stir until spinach slightly wilts.
- Gently fold in 4 oz feta cheese and 2 tablespoons capers.
- Top orzo with roasted shrimp. Serve warm or at room temperature with extra herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Check shrimp for consistent size to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming rubbery.
- Fresh herbs make a significant difference in flavor, so select bright green, fragrant parsley and dill for best results.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for maximum bright, citrusy notes that complement the seafood perfectly.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute orzo with quinoa or cauliflower rice, maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 318 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 438 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg