Description
This Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a vibrant one-pan dish featuring succulent prawns, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach, all enveloped in a zesty lemon and Parmesan sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions, it’s both easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 pound large prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably in oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable or chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and a pinch of salt. Stir well to prevent sticking.
- Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Once cooked, drain any excess liquid and set the orzo aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add the prawns to the skillet, seasoning them with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
- Cook the prawns for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Once cooked, remove the prawns from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for about 2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Return the cooked prawns to the skillet, mixing them with the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
- Add the cooked orzo to the skillet, stirring everything together to combine well.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, mixing until the cheese is melted and everything is evenly coated.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the dish, giving it a fresh and zesty flavor.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Allow the dish to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure everything is heated through.
- Once everything is well combined and heated, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve the prawn orzo in bowls, garnishing with extra basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you like.
- Enjoy your delicious prawn orzo with sun-dried tomatoes!
Notes
- For added flavor, consider marinating the prawns in lemon juice and garlic for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- This dish can be customized with other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes