Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo – Creamy, Flavorful & Ready in 30 Minutes

🎉 Introduction

If you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s quick enough for a busy weeknight, this Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo is the answer. Tender prawns are seared in garlicky butter, then tossed with delicate orzo pasta in a rich, savory sauce. It’s the perfect blend of seafood sweetness, buttery richness, and pasta comfort — all in one skillet.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Medium saucepan (for orzo)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Colander

🛒 Ingredients

Seafood & Pasta

• 500 g prawns (peeled & deveined)
• 250 g orzo pasta

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Fats

• 3 tbsp butter, unsalted
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Liquids

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• Juice of ½ lemon

Seasonings

• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)

Cheese (Optional)

• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1 – Cook the Orzo

1. Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook orzo until al dente.
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.

Step 2 – Sear the Prawns

1. Pat prawns dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add prawns and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Step 3 – Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add remaining butter.
2. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add chili flakes (if using) and lemon juice.
4. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer.

Step 4 – Combine & Serve

1. Add cooked orzo to the skillet along with reserved pasta water.
2. Stir in Parmesan (if using) until creamy.
3. Return prawns to the skillet and toss to coat.
4. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 3–4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water.
• Freezer: Best eaten fresh; freezing may alter prawn texture.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Creamy: Add ¼ cup heavy cream before combining with prawns.
• Veggie Boost: Stir in baby spinach or peas.
• Zesty Twist: Add extra lemon zest for brightness.
• Spicy Kick: Increase chili flakes for more heat.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen prawns? Yes, just thaw and pat dry before cooking.
2. Can I swap orzo for rice? Yes, but cooking time will be longer.
3. What broth is best? Chicken broth adds richness, but vegetable broth works for pescatarian.
4. Can I make it dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and skip Parmesan.
5. Will shrimp work instead of prawns? Absolutely.
6. Can I add wine? Yes, replace ¼ cup broth with white wine (optional).
7. How do I stop prawns from becoming rubbery? Cook just until pink and opaque, then remove from heat.
8. Can I meal-prep this? Best made fresh, but can be reheated within 2 days.
9. What side dishes go well? Garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
10. Can I double the recipe? Yes, but cook prawns in batches to avoid overcrowding.

🏁 Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo is simple yet indulgent, combining buttery richness, garlicky depth, and tender pasta for the ultimate seafood pasta dinner. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a cozy, delicious meal.

Adam

Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo – Creamy, Flavorful & Ready in 30 Minutes

If you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal that’s quick enough for a busy weeknight, this Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo is the answer. Tender prawns are seared in garlicky butter, then tossed with delicate orzo pasta in a rich, savory sauce. It’s the perfect blend of seafood sweetness, buttery richness, and pasta comfort — all in one skillet.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Seafood & Pasta

• 500 g prawns peeled & deveined
• 250 g orzo pasta

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Fats

• 3 tbsp butter unsalted
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Liquids

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• Juice of ½ lemon

Seasonings

• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp chili flakes optional
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt or to taste

Cheese (Optional)

• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Medium saucepan (for orzo)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Colander

Method

 

Step 1 – Cook the Orzo

1. Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook orzo until al dente.
3. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.

Step 2 – Sear the Prawns

1. Pat prawns dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add prawns and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.

Step 3 – Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add remaining butter.
2. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add chili flakes (if using) and lemon juice.
4. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer.

Step 4 – Combine & Serve

1. Add cooked orzo to the skillet along with reserved pasta water.
2. Stir in Parmesan (if using) until creamy.
3. Return prawns to the skillet and toss to coat.
4. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water.

Freezer: Best eaten fresh; freezing may alter prawn texture.

🥄 Variations
Extra Creamy: Add ¼ cup heavy cream before combining with prawns.

Veggie Boost: Stir in baby spinach or peas.

Zesty Twist: Add extra lemon zest for brightness.

Spicy Kick: Increase chili flakes for more heat.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen prawns? Yes, just thaw and pat dry before cooking.

Can I swap orzo for rice? Yes, but cooking time will be longer.

What broth is best? Chicken broth adds richness, but vegetable broth works for pescatarian.

Can I make it dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and skip Parmesan.

Will shrimp work instead of prawns? Absolutely.

Can I add wine? Yes, replace ¼ cup broth with white wine (optional).

How do I stop prawns from becoming rubbery? Cook just until pink and opaque, then remove from heat.

Can I meal-prep this? Best made fresh, but can be reheated within 2 days.

What side dishes go well? Garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

Can I double the recipe? Yes, but cook prawns in batches to avoid overcrowding.

🏁 Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo is simple yet indulgent, combining buttery richness, garlicky depth, and tender pasta for the ultimate seafood pasta dinner. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a cozy, delicious meal.