One Pot Marry Me Shrimp and Orzo Pasta (2024)

One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta

You might have heard of the viral “Marry Me” Chicken that took social media by storm. You can check out my One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe here. The star of the recipe show is a sundried tomato cream sauce that is absolutely loaded with flavor and pairs perfectly with any protein. For this recipe, I opted for my favorite one pot pasta technique and paired it with fresh juicy sautéed shrimp and one of my personal favorite quick cooking pastas, orzo. To make it a true one pot meal, I included fresh baby spinach. This is an easy quick cooking crowd-pleaser that is perfect for a busy weeknight or for a dinner party.

Ingredients for Marry Me Shrimp and Orzo

• Shrimp – for best results use large frozen shrimp and thaw prior to cooking. See recipe tips below. Use tail-off shrimp for easy eating and serving or tail-on shrimp if you want an impressive presentation.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes – packed in oil. The recipe uses both the oil and the tomatoes. If you prefer, olive oil can be used instead.
• Butter – for sautéing garlic and chili flakes.
• Chili Flakes – a small amount of heat is always a great addition for seafood and shrimp pasta.
• Orzo – 1/2 of a pound of uncooked orzo. Measures about two cups.
• Chicken Broth – low-sodium chicken broth.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic cloves for the best flavor. Garlic powder would work as an alternative. If using garlic powder, don’t sauté, just stir it into the cream sauce.
• Heavy Cream – to create a rich and creamy sauce.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is recommended for best flavor and melting.
• Baby Spinach – fresh baby spinach is stirred in with the orzo after cooking to make a complete meal.
• Seasonings – Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Dried Italian Seasoning.
• Parsley or Fresh Basil– for garnish.

How to Make One Pot Marry Me Shrimp and Orzo

• Pat dry thawed shrimp using paper towels and toss with oil from sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
• Sauté shrimp in a large skillet over medium heat just until cooked through, then remove from pan and set aside to be added back in later.
• Wipe pan clean if needed, then add butter and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes.
• Add chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and orzo to pan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and cook covered until orzo is tender.
• Stir in parmesan and baby spinach. Return shrimp to pan and serve.

Recipe Tips

• For the best quality shrimp, buy frozen shrimp. Thaw at home overnight in the refrigerator. To thaw quickly, place bag of shrimp in a large bowl of cold water changing the water occasionally and shifting the shrimp around.
• After thawing, drain shrimp well and pat dry.
• For easy serving and eating, use tail-off shrimp if you prefer. I used tail-on shrimp primarily for the presentation in the photo.
• Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Makes a great meal prep!
• To reheat, splash with additional chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen the pasta and reheat gently. On the stovetop or in a microwave.

More One Pot Favorites

• One Pot Chicken Alfredo
• One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice
• One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
• Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

One Pot “Marry Me” Shrimp and Orzo Pasta

Freshly sautéed juicy shrimp in a flavor-packed tuscan inspired sun-dried tomato cream sauce with orzo and spinach.

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