Lemon Shrimp Scampi with Orzo

Published:  12/11/2018

This buttery, garlicky, lemony shrimp is divine! It makes an elegant and impressive meal.

I have remade the recipe to have less fat than most other shrimp scampi and pasta dishes. I've reduced the original amount of butter and replaced some with healthier extra virgin olive oil. To add flavor and moisture, lemon juice is just right.

And for whole grain goodness, I like to use DeLallo Whole Wheat Organic Pasta, which can be found online or at Whole Foods. If you've never liked whole wheat pasta, no worries, the orzo is so tiny and the shrimp and sauce so luscious you won't notice the difference between the whole wheat pasta and regular. 

Serves 3

3/4 cup uncooked orzo, I like to use DeLallo Whole Wheat Organic Orzo
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup butter
4 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
1 1/2 to 2 pounds 21-25 count shrimp, peeled and deveined, patted dry
¼ cup fresh lemon juice, you will need 2 lemons
1 tomato, chopped
½ cup chopped parsley, optional

Prep all your items.

In a medium pot, cook orzo according to package directions. While it's cooking start preparing shrimp. When orzo is done drain. Place orzo in a medium bowl. Stir in parsley, olive oil, and salt; cover and keep warm.

While orzo cooks, add olive oil, butter and garlic to a very large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter. Add shrimp to pan and arrange in a single layer. Sprinkle shrimp with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook 3 minutes or until almost done. Flip each shrimp individually. Add lemon juice and tomato and parsley. Cook another 2 minutes or until shrimp is done. It will no longer be opaque. Do not overcook.

Place ½ cup orzo on each plate and top with shrimp and some sauce.

Top with optional toppings: chopped fresh parsley, 1 Tbsp. freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts per serving with 1 Tablespoon parmesan cheese
Servings 3.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 560
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33 g	50 %
Saturated Fat 12 g	60 %
Monounsaturated Fat 14 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 373 mg	124 %
Sodium 720 mg	30 %
Potassium 61 mg	2 %
Total Carbohydrate 30 g	10 %
Dietary Fiber 4 g	16 %
Sugars 1 g
Protein 41 g	82 %
Vitamin A	14 %
Vitamin C	23 %
Calcium	10 %
Iron	41 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.