Looking for a quick yet delicious recipe that will impress your guests? This creamy prawn orzo is a high-protein one-pan meal for any occasion.

Thanks to the sun-dried tomatoes, it’s bold, savory, a little spicy, and a little tangy.

This comforting meal offers juicy prawns, sautéed garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy orzo pasta. It’s a hearty meal that will comfort your family and guests.

This is one of those recipes that tastes and looks fancy but requires minimal effort to make. And that’s precisely why I love it!

But this recipe provides more than delicious flavors. One of the things I love about this pasta is that it’s a one-pan meal.

You spend less time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning, and you won’t have to worry about a kitchen left with thousands of dishes to clean afterward!

I can assure you that this meal will turn any weeknight dinner into something special without requiring too much time and money. Let’s face it: prawns make any meal feel much fancier than it actually is!

Ingredients and Substitutes

PRAWNS

Raw king prawns, get them already peeled (1 1/2 lb) – You can also use frozen prawns. Just make sure you fully thaw them before cooking. But if you don’t want to use prawns, you can use chicken or scallops.

Paprika powder (1 tsp) – If you don’t have any, you can use smoked cayenne pepper or chipotle powder.

Red pepper flakes, optional (1/2 tsp) – You can add more or less depending on how much heat you like in your meals.

Garlic powder (2 tsp) – You can also use garlic flakes.

Black pepper (1 tsp)

Salt (1 tsp)

Olive oil (2 tbsp) – Swap for avocado oil or coconut oil for another alternative.

Garlic, minced (6 cloves) – If you lack fresh garlic, you can add more garlic powder or use garlic flakes.

ORZO

Olive oil (1 tbsp)

Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (1/2 cup) – I recommend keeping this ingredient since it adds a special flavor. But if you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use oven-baked cherry tomatoes.

Orzo, uncooked (1 cup) – You can also use short-grain rice if you want a risotto-style dish.

Chicken broth (2 cups) – For a plant-based option, use vegetable broth.

Broccoli, finely chopped (1 cup) – You can also use cauliflower or add other vegetables like zucchini or peas.

Fresh spinach (2 cups) – I’ve also tried using kale, and it turns out amazing!

Heavy cream (1 cup) – For a lighter option, swap for half-and-half or cashew/coconut cream.

Salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make Prawn Orzo

Step 1. Grab a bowl and add the king prawns, paprika powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.

Step 2. Gently toss the prawns to ensure they get covered with all the spices.

Step 3. Place a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp of olive oil and the minced garlic. Let the garlic cook for roughly 30 seconds.

Step 4. Add the prawns to the pan.

Step 5. Cook until they become pink. This should take around 2-3 minutes per side. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.

Step 6. Add another 1 tbsp of olive oil and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan you used to cook the prawns.

Step 7. Cook the sun-dried tomatoes for 30 seconds.

Step 8. Add the uncooked orzo to the pan.

Step 9. Roast the orzo for 1 minute. Mix everything thoroughly to get the orzo to soak all the oils and spices left in the pan.

Step 10. Pour the chicken broth and mix thoroughly. Make sure you scrape all the burnt bits from the pan.

Step 11. Grab the chopped broccoli and add it to the pan. Give it a good stir.

Step 12. Wait for the chicken broth to start bubbling, lower the heat, and cover with a lid. Cook for 7-8 minutes, making sure you stir it at least 2-3 times to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.

Step 13. When you see that the orzo has softened, add the fresh spinach, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Give it another mix.

Step 14. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach wilts. Place the prawns back into the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they warm up. Now, it’s ready to serve and enjoy!

Ways to Modify This Pasta

• Make it dairy-free: Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or a plant-based cream substitute for a rich but dairy-free version.
• Vegetarian option: Skip the prawns and chicken broth and use vegetable broth instead. You can add firm tofu or mushrooms (or both) or double the amount of broccoli and spinach.
• Add some heat: If you love heat, you can add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder.
• Go gluten–free: Substitute the orzo with gluten-free rice or lentil pasta.

Storage Tips

Once the dish has cooled to room temperature, place it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

If you want to keep the leftovers longer, you can place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

When you are ready to have this recipe again, reheat it in a pan over low heat. This keeps the creamy texture.

Add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent the sauce from drying out.

While you could microwave this recipe, it can leave the sauce too dry and can change the overall experience of the meal.

Other Similar Recipes

• Creamy Ground Beef Orzo
• Creamy Sun-Dried Chicken Orzo
• Cottage Cheese Pasta