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Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Featured in Delicious Main Course Recipes for Every Occasion.

This Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes combines tender prawns with creamy orzo pasta for a quick yet impressive one-pan meal. The recipe starts with perfectly seasoned prawns cooked with garlic until pink and juicy. What makes this dish special is how it builds layers of flavor in a single pan - from the savory prawns to the orzo toasted in the same flavorful oil, enhanced by sweet sun-dried tomatoes. The pasta cooks directly in chicken broth, absorbing all the flavors while releasing its starch to create a naturally thickened sauce. Fresh vegetables like broccoli and spinach add color, texture, and nutrition, while the heavy cream brings everything together into a rich, cohesive dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for special occasions.
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Updated on Sat, 01 Mar 2025 12:48:59 GMT
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Discover a restaurant-worthy meal that comes together in just one pan with this Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. This luxurious dish combines succulent prawns, perfectly cooked orzo pasta, and the intense flavor of sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy sauce. It's a gourmet experience that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum satisfaction.

During my exploration of quick yet impressive dinner options, I discovered that toasting orzo before cooking dramatically enhances its nutty flavor. The moment those fragrant prawns meet the creamy pasta, you'll understand why this dish feels like something from an upscale restaurant.

Essential Components

  • Prawn Selection: Large, succulent prawns provide the best texture and flavor
  • Sun-Dried Tomato Quality: Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes offer superior flavor intensity
  • Orzo Toasting: This quick step adds significant depth to the final dish
  • Vegetable Balance: Broccoli provides structure while spinach adds color and nutrients
  • Cream Addition: Heavy cream creates a luxurious sauce that clings to every bite
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Easy Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect The Prawns:
Season generously with spices before cooking. Sauté quickly just until pink, then remove to prevent overcooking.
Master The Foundation:
Sauté sun-dried tomatoes in the same pan to capture the prawn flavor, then toast orzo until lightly golden.
Build The Flavor Base:
Add broth gradually, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for maximum flavor.
Create The Creamy Texture:
Incorporate vegetables and cream once orzo is nearly tender, allowing them to marry with the pasta.
Reunite The Elements:
Return prawns to the pan just long enough to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.

This dish has become my go-to when I need to impress dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The balance of sophisticated flavors and straightforward preparation makes it perfect for both special occasions and weeknight dinners.

Perfect Pairings

Complete your meal with thoughtful accompaniments. Serve with crusty garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides refreshing contrast to the rich main dish. For wine pairing, choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay that complements the seafood while cutting through the creaminess.

Creative Variations

Adapt this versatile dish to create endless variations. Try a Spanish version with chorizo and smoked paprika. Create a Greek-inspired dish with feta cheese and kalamata olives. Make it vegetarian by substituting mushrooms for prawns and vegetable broth for chicken broth. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

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Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Storage Success

This dish keeps beautifully for quick meals throughout the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or cream to restore the creamy consistency. For best results, warm gently over medium-low heat rather than using the microwave.

Through countless iterations of this recipe, I've found that respecting each ingredient's cooking time while building layers of flavor creates the most successful results. This dish proves that sophisticated, restaurant-quality meals can be achieved at home with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use shrimp instead of prawns?
Yes, medium or large shrimp work perfectly as a substitute for prawns. Adjust cooking time slightly as smaller shrimp cook faster.
→ Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
Half-and-half or whole milk can work, though the sauce will be less rich. For a dairy-free option, try full-fat coconut milk.
→ Can I use other pasta shapes?
Small pasta shapes like risoni, stelline, or small shells work well. Cooking times may vary slightly based on the shape.
→ What vegetables can I substitute?
Try asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers in place of the broccoli or spinach.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best fresh, but can be refrigerated for 1-2 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or cream as the pasta will absorb liquid.

Creamy Prawn Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A creamy, one-pan pasta dish featuring seasoned prawns, orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh vegetables in a savory cream sauce.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 bowls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Prawns

01 1 1/2 lb raw king prawns get them already peeled
02 1 tsp paprika powder
03 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
04 2 tsp garlic powder
05 1 tsp black pepper
06 1 tsp salt
07 2 tbsp olive oil
08 6 cloves garlic minced

→ Orzo Pasta

09 1 tbsp olive oil
10 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
11 1 cup orzo uncooked
12 2 cups chicken broth
13 1 cup broccoli finely chopped
14 2 cups fresh spinach
15 1 cup heavy cream
16 Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

In a bowl, cover king prawns with paprika powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Gently toss so the prawns are covered well.

Step 02

Heat up a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, and minced garlic and let it cook for 30s. Add in the prawns and cook until pink on each side for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 03

Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Cook it for around 30 seconds. Then, add uncooked orzo to the same pan and roast it for around 1 minute. Stirring throughout so it gets covered in all the oils and leftover spices.

Step 04

Pour in the chicken broth and give it a good mix, scraping all the burnt bites from the pan. Add in chopped broccoli and mix it in well. Wait until the chicken broth starts bubbling, lower the heat, and cover with a lid. Cook for 7-8 minutes. Make sure you stir 2-3 times while it's cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 05

When orzo softens up, add fresh spinach, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything and cook until the spinach wilts. It should take around 2-3 minutes.

Step 06

Now, place the prawns back into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until it warms up. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. If the pasta is getting too thick, add water.
  2. If you're using frozen prawns, thaw it before cooking.
  3. For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pan with lid
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains shellfish (prawns)
  • Contains dairy (heavy cream)
  • Contains gluten (orzo pasta)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 676
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 56 g
  • Protein: 36 g