Everyday Food editor Sarah Carey shows you how to make a fast, one-pan meal that’s like paella, but far easier to put together.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in top position. In a large broilerproof skillet, heat 5 teaspoons oil over medium. Add garlic and cook until just beginning to brown, 1 minute. Increase heat to high and add tomatoes; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 minutes. Add orzo and broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, transfer to oven, and bake until liquid is mostly absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes.
Toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Remove skillet from oven and place shrimp on top of orzo. Heat broiler. Broil until shrimp are opaque throughout, 4 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.
Shopping Tip
Look for orzo near the other dried pastas. It's also great in brothy soups or tossed with herbs for an easy side.
My husband and I loved the recipe with one exception. The grape tomatoes fell apart and we were left with "skins" once the dish was finished. Next time, I will try this recipe using diced Roma tomatoes that hold together better. I also "tweaked" the recipe by adding some white wine to the broth (1/4 c.instead of broth) and dressed the dish with an additional sprinkling of Romano cheese and some toasted pine nuts. Together with the basil, these additions were wonderful. Great recipe!
Ditto! A great, simple, fast recipe. Perfect for weekday dinner.
I like to also add peas to the orzo just before putting it in the oven.
This is a fantastic recipe. It's simple and delicious. I use cooked shrimp and whole wheat orzo.