One-Pot Smoky Cajun Shrimp Orzo
Plump orzo pasta and shrimp are cooked in a smoky tomato broth spiked with Cajun spices.
Serves4
Prep5 minutes
Cook15 minutes
If winter has you dreaming of a Southern vacation, I’ve got just the thing to spice up this week’s meal plan. Tiny orzo pasta plumps in a smoky tomato broth spiked with Cajun spices. Add the shrimp at the end of the cooking time so they curl and turn pink just before serving.
Your Ticket to New Orleans Is Already in Your Pantry
It’s easy to capture the spirit of New Orleans cuisine with a well-stocked pantry. A Cajun seasoning blend flavors this dish with its robust mixture of herbs and spices. Check the label to make sure it’s salt-free to maintain more control over the dish’s seasoning.
Fire-roasted tomatoes add an earthy, smoky layer of flavor with zero extra effort (win!). Once the orzo is tender and the shrimp are pink, sprinkle each serving with fresh oregano for extra flavor and flair.
Smoky Cajun Shrimp Orzo
Plump orzo pasta and shrimp are cooked in a smoky tomato broth spiked with Cajun spices.
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 15 minutes
Serves 4
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons
fresh oregano leaves
- 1 pound
dried orzo pasta
- 1 (28-ounce) can
diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon
salt-free Cajun spice blend
- 1 tablespoon
olive oil
- 2 teaspoons
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups
water
- 1 pound
raw large peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed if frozen
Instructions
Coarsely chop 2 tablespoons oregano leaves.
Combine 1 pound dried orzo pasta, 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes and their juices, 1 tablespoon salt-free Cajun Spice blend, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 4 cups water in a 3 1/2-quart straight sided skillet or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Boil, stirring frequently so that the orzo doesn’t stick, about 8 minutes. Add 1 pound raw large peeled and deveined shrimp and cook until the orzo is al dente and the shrimp are cooked through and opaque, about 2 minutes more. Sprinkle each serving with the oregano.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.