Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Orzo With Prawns is a one-pot, 30-minute meal that combines juicy prawns, tender orzo, garlic, lemon, spinach, and Parmesan in a rich yet bright and comforting dish. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 250g raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 25g unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 250g orzo pasta (1¼ cups)
- 500ml vegetable or chicken stock (2½ cups)
- 125ml double cream (¾ cup)
- 75g baby spinach (2 cups)
- Juice of 1 small lemon
- 30g Parmesan cheese, grated (¼ cup)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add prawns and cook 3–4 minutes until pink and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté shallot for 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add dried thyme and stir in orzo. Toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and liquid mostly absorbed.
- Stir in double cream and spinach. Cook 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Return prawns to the pan. Add lemon juice and Parmesan. Stir to combine and season with pepper.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan or lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- Use single cream or half and half for a lighter version.
- Substitute kale or arugula for spinach if desired.
- Add chili flakes or smoked paprika for a spicy twist.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or stock.
- Orzo can be swapped with other small pasta shapes like risoni or ditalini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (of 4)
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
