Best Shrimp Orzo Pesto Recipes

SHRIMP ORZO PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl; mix 2 teaspoons pesto and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil into orzo.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet; cook and stir shrimp, red bell pepper, and capers in hot oil until shrimp is heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir remaining 1 teaspoon pesto, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper into shrimp mixture; cook and stir until combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Mix orzo into shrimp mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

ORZO WITH GRILLED SHRIMP, SUMMER VEGETABLES, AND PESTO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Whisk 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons vinegar in small bowl. Brush zucchini and bell pepper with oil mixture, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Whisk pesto, lime juice, remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons oil, and remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar in small bowl for pesto vinaigrette. Place shrimp in medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons pesto vinaigrette; toss to coat.
• Grill zucchini and bell pepper until crisptender, about 3 minutes per side for zucchini and 4 minutes per side for bell pepper. Transfer to work surface. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper; grill until charred and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place shrimp in bowl with orzo. Chop zucchini and bell pepper; add to bowl with orzo. Add remaining vinaigrette, tomatoes, sliced basil, and mozzarella; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover; chill.
• Garnish with basil sprigs and serve cold or at room temperature.

ORZO WITH GRILLED SHRIMP, SUMMER VEGETABLES, AND PESTO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse with cold water, drain well. Transfer to large bowl and toss with 1 tbls oil. Prebare barbecue ( med-high heat). Whisk 2 tbls oil and 2 tbls vinegar in small bowl. Brush zucchini and bell pepper with oil mixture, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Whisdk pesto, lime juice remaining 3 1/2 tbls oil, and remaining 2 tbls vinegar in small bowl for pesto vinaigrette. Place shrimp in medium bowl. Add 2 tbls pesto vinagrette, toss to coat. Grill zucchini and bell pepper until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes per side for zucchini and 4 minutes per side for bell pepper. Transfer to work surface. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper, grill until charred and cooked through, 2 - 3 minutes per side. Place shrimp in bowl with orzo. Chop zucchini and bell pepper: add to bowl with orzo. Add remaining vinaigrette, tomatoes, sliced basil, and mozzarella; toss to combine. Season to taste with and pepper. can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover, chill. Garnish with basil sprigs.

PESTO ORZO WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Process peas, nuts, mint and garlic in food processor 30 sec. or until nuts are finely chopped and mixture is well blended. Add 1/2 cup dressing; process until smooth. Spoon into medium bowl; stir in 2 Tbsp. cheese.
• Cook pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook 2 to 3 min. or until shrimp turn pink, turning after 2 min. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice; mix lightly.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Place pasta in large bowl. Add pea mixture; mix lightly. If necessary, gradually stir in enough of the reserved pasta cooking water until pasta mixture is of desired consistency.
• Top pasta mixture with shrimp and remaining cheese.

PESTO SHRIMP WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients (oil through pepper). Add shrimp, turning to coat and marinate, covered, in fridge at least 2 hours.
• Cook orzo until al dente (10-12 minutes).
• Meanwhile, preheat broiler.
• Spread marinated shrimp in a single layer in a foil-lined broiling pan; pour marinade over shrimp.
• Broil shrimp 4 inches from heat, 3 minutes per side, until firm and lightly colored.
• Serve shrimp over orzo and pour pan juices over top. Scatter cheese and parsley over the shrimp.
• Serve with lemon wedges.