Bacon Shrimp Orzo Recipes

ORZO RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP, PEAS & BACON

Steps:

• Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Do not brown. Stir in the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the broth, salt, pepper, and Cajun/Creole seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring once midway through, until the orzo is nearly tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir the shrimp and peas into the orzo (it will be quite creamy/brothy at this point; that's normal). Cover and cook over low heat until the shrimp are opaque throughout and the orzo is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Off the heat, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, the lemon juice, and chives. Right before serving, stir in the crispy bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary, then spoon into bowls and serve.

BACON SHRIMP ORZO

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve fat in the pan.
• Add onion to pan and cook until translucent and beginning to soften. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add orzo and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat. Add wine and cook until almost absorbed, then slowly stir in chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, lower heat and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. The liquid should be mostly absorbed and the orzo tender. Remove from heat, then stir in bacon, Parmesan, basil, lemon juice and zest, and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

ROASTED SHRIMP AND ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
• Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!
• Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Position a rack 3 to 4 inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler. Whisk the lemon juice, garlic, paprika, thyme, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking dish. Add the shrimp and toss to coat; marinate in the refrigerator, 20 minutes.
• Turn the shrimp in the marinade to coat well. One at a time, remove each shrimp and wrap with a piece of bacon; secure with a toothpick if desired. Place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Spoon any remaining marinade over the shrimp. Broil, turning the shrimp once, until the bacon is slightly crisp and the shrimp are cooked through, about 5 minutes.

LEMON SHRIMP ORZO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth, orzo and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, until orzo is al dente, 8-10 minutes., Stir in shrimp, arugula, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes. Stir in olives. Sprinkle with feta and basil leaves.

SHRIMP WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Drain tomatoes through a sieve into a bowl, reserving tomatoes and 1/2 cup tomato liquid.
• Let the oil get heated in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add in the onion and garlic; stir/saute for 3 minutes.
• Add in the wine; cook 1 minute.
• Add in tomatoes with 1/2 cup liquid, 1 1/2 tablespoon parsley, capers, and next 4 ingredients; cook for 5 minutes.
• Add in shrimp; cook 2 minutes.
• Stir in the cooked orzo; adjust seasoning to taste.
• Spoon mixture into an 11x7 inch casserole dish that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle feta cheese and remaining parsley evenly over the top.
• Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10 minutes.

CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO WITH BACON

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon (you can drain the bacon fat or leave it).
• Melt 2-3 tablespoons butter, then add in onions and garlic; saute until soft (about 5 minutes).
• Add in the orzo and stir for about 2 minutes.
• Slowly add in the 4-1/2 cups broth; simmer uncovered until the orzo is firm-tender and the broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally (this should take about 7-8 minutes).
• Add in whipping cream and bring to a simmer.
• Mix in Parmesan cheese and thyme, then cooked bacon.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• *NOTE* you can thin with additional broth if desired.