Description
This vibrant Lemon Shrimp Pasta combines tender orzo pasta with juicy, seasoned shrimp and fresh vegetables in a zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a light yet flavorful meal, this dish features snow peas, fresh tomatoes, and a hint of crushed red pepper for a mild kick. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that feels special without a fuss.
Ingredients
Orzo Pasta
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta, uncooked
Shrimp
- 16 oz shrimp, raw, jumbo size, peeled and tails removed
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Vegetables & Flavorings
- 1 cup snow peas, cut into pieces
- 1 large lemon, juice and zest of
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook until tender, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Season and Sear the Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. When hot, place the shrimp in the skillet and sear on both sides until they turn pink and curl, about 3 minutes total.
- Add Butter, Garlic, and Vegetables: To the skillet with shrimp, add the butter, minced garlic, reserved pasta water, and snow peas. Squeeze in the juice of the lemon and cook, stirring, until the butter melts and forms a sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Fresh Tomatoes: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked orzo and chopped fresh tomatoes. For extra lemon aroma and flavor, zest some lemon peel over the top. Adjust seasoning with crushed black pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute avocado oil with olive oil if preferred.
- For a spicier dish, add more crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use fresh jumbo shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help create a smooth sauce that coats the pasta well.
- Snow peas can be replaced with asparagus or snap peas for variation.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
