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Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo with Spinach and Sun Dried Tomatoes

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This easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Spinach, Pine Nuts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Orzo is a bright, flavorful, and satisfying dinner made with simple ingredients. Tender shrimp are sautéed with garlic, toasted pine nuts, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil, then tossed with cooked orzo and fresh spinach. The result is a quick shrimp orzo recipe that tastes fresh, cozy, and complete without requiring a long list of ingredients or complicated steps.

This lemon garlic shrimp orzo is especially helpful when you want a fast weeknight dinner for two. It comes together in about 30 minutes, uses only two pots, and delivers a balanced mix of pasta, seafood, greens, and bold Mediterranean-inspired flavor. The lemon keeps the dish light and vibrant, the garlic adds depth, the pine nuts bring a gentle crunch, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet, savory richness.

shrimp orzo in plate with forks, spinach leaves, pine nuts, and lemon wedges around

About The Recipe

A bowl of pasta can be one of the most comforting dinners, especially when it is quick enough for a busy evening but still feels special. This Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Spinach, Pine Nuts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Orzo has that perfect balance. It is simple, fresh, and filling, yet it does not feel heavy. The orzo gives the dish a soft, pasta-like base, while the shrimp cooks quickly and adds plenty of protein.

This recipe is also a great option when you want something that feels a little more elevated than an everyday pasta dish. The ingredients are easy to find, but together they create a meal with plenty of texture and flavor. You get the brightness of lemon, the warmth of garlic, the richness of olive oil, and the nutty flavor of lightly toasted pine nuts. The spinach wilts directly into the pan at the end, making the dish colorful and fresh without adding extra work.

two bowls of shrimp orzo on marble counter with white napkin, two forks, spinach leaves, pine nuts, lemon wedges, and glass of wine
two bowls of orzo with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon wedges, and glass of white wine

If you are looking for a reliable dinner that does not take much planning, this lemon shrimp orzo is a strong choice. It is made with pantry-friendly staples and fresh ingredients, and the entire dish can be prepared in less time than many takeout orders. It works well for a quiet dinner at home, a cozy weekend meal, or any night when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

fork inside shrimp orzo with glass of white wine, lemon wedges, and spinach leaves

Why You Should Make This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo For Dinner Tonight

  • It uses simple, minimal ingredients that are easy to prepare.
  • It has more flavor than a basic pasta dinner, thanks to lemon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts.
  • It pairs nicely with a glass of white wine if you are serving it for a relaxed dinner.
  • It is quick enough for a weeknight but cozy enough for the weekend.
  • It is ready in 30 minutes or less.
  • It uses just two pots, which keeps cleanup manageable.
  • Fresh spinach adds color, freshness, and extra texture.
shrimp orzo and spinach in two plates with lemon, spinach leaves, and pine nuts around

Ingredients

Full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions are included in the recipe card below.

  • Orzo
  • Olive oil
  • Pine nuts
  • Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • Minced garlic
  • Medium shelled and deveined shrimp
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh spinach

Each ingredient has a clear purpose in this shrimp orzo recipe. Orzo creates a tender base that absorbs the lemony garlic oil. Olive oil helps sauté the garlic, pine nuts, tomatoes, and shrimp while adding richness. Pine nuts toast quickly and bring a subtle crunch. Sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated savory flavor, while fresh lemon juice brightens the whole dish. The spinach is stirred in at the end so it wilts gently without becoming overcooked.

spinach, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, pine nuts, orzo, raw shrimp, and sun-dried tomatoes in bowls

How To Make Lemon Garlic Shrimp Orzo

Step 1: Make the orzo

Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Once it is tender, drain it well and set it aside while you prepare the shrimp mixture. Try not to overcook the orzo, since it will be stirred into the warm pan at the end.

orzo in colander

Step 2: Sauté

In a chef’s pan or large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the pine nuts, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until the pine nuts are lightly toasted and the garlic is fragrant. Watch the pine nuts closely because they can brown quickly.

olive oil, pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, and garlic in sauté pan
Sautéed pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, and garlic

Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the shrimp turns pink. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and cook for about 1 minute more. Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as it can become firm and rubbery if left on the heat too long.

shrimp added to sauté pan
cooked shrimp with pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the fresh spinach. The warmth from the shrimp, oil, and pan will gently wilt the spinach while keeping it bright and fresh.

spinach added to pan
wilted spinach mixed with shrimp

Step 3: Add orzo and serve

Add the cooked orzo to the skillet and stir until everything is evenly combined. Serve warm, making sure each bowl gets shrimp, spinach, pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes. If desired, finish with a little extra lemon juice for a brighter flavor.

orzo added to shrimp and spinach mixture
orzo stirred into mixture

How To Store

If you have leftovers, store the shrimp orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Reheat gently so the shrimp does not become overcooked. Because seafood is best enjoyed fresh, this dish has the best texture and flavor shortly after it is made.

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When you make this Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Spinach, Pine Nuts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Orzo, leave a comment below. It is always helpful to hear how the recipe turned out and to answer any questions about the ingredients, cooking time, or substitutions.

shrimp orzo in plate with forks, spinach leaves, pine nuts, and lemon wedges around
4.80 from 5 votes

Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Spinach, Pine Nuts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Orzo

Author: Traci Crossland
A fast and easy weeknight dinner made with shrimp, orzo, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and olive oil. It is simple, fresh, and full of flavor.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried orzo
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 12 ounces medium shrimp
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 cups baby spinach

Instructions

  1. Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Add the olive oil to a large pan and place it over medium heat.
  3. When the oil is hot, stir in the pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic.
  4. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly toasted.
  5. Add the shrimp to the pan.
  6. Cook until the shrimp just starts to turn pink.
  7. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
  8. Continue cooking for 1 minute.
  9. Remove the pan from the heat.
  10. Stir in the spinach until it wilts.
  11. Stir in the cooked orzo and serve warm.

Notes + Tips!

Substitutions

  • Avocado oil or butter may be used in place of olive oil.
  • To make the dish vegetarian or vegan, leave out the shrimp and use tofu or chickpeas.
  • Fresh tomato can be used instead of sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Walnuts can be used in place of pine nuts.
  • Another pasta shape can be used instead of orzo.

Tips To Make The Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Orzo

  • Watch the pine nuts carefully while sautéing because they can burn quickly.
  • Do not overcook the shrimp, or they may become rubbery.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
  • Stir the spinach in after removing the pan from the heat so it wilts gently.

Tools You May Need

  • Large chef’s pan or skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Saucepan
  • Colander

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Did you try this recipe?

Let us know in the comments!
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