Creamy Shrimp & Orzo (No Pasta Bowl Needed)

By Naava’s Nourishing Garden

This dish is one of my favorite cozy meals—it’s creamy, rich, and full of vibrant flavor from shrimp, spinach, bell peppers, and a hint of coconut milk. I created this recipe from scratch using ingredients I always have on hand. You can easily cut it in half if you’re cooking for fewer people. What makes it extra special is my homemade seasoning blend, but you can use your favorite if you haven’t made mine yet (find it on my YouTube channel!).

It’s creamy without being heavy, and made to nourish.

Full Recipe Below:

Ingredients

• 2 lbs shrimp, cleaned and deveined

• 1 box orzo (about 16 oz)

• 2 cups coconut milk (or any milk of your choice)

• ½ stick butter

• 2 tbsp pasta water (reserved from cooking the orzo)

• 1–2 tbsp of Naava’s Nourishing Seasoning Blend (or your favorite seasoning blend)

• Salt to taste

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• About 1 cup dry julienned tomatoes

• At least 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen, add more if you love greens)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• ½ green bell pepper, diced

• Up to 2 cups parsley flakes (fresh or frozen parsley mix works perfectly)

• 2 tbsp oil of your choice (I love avocado or olive oil)

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Instructions

1. Cook the orzo:

Boil orzo in salted water according to the package directions until just al dente. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté the base:

In a large skillet or pan, heat the oil and butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and peppers. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes.

3. Add in the richness:

Stir in the tomato paste, dry julienned tomatoes, and your seasoning blend. Let it cook for a minute or two to deepen the flavor.

4. Build the creamy sauce:

Pour in the coconut milk and reserved pasta water. Stir well, bring to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

5. Add shrimp & greens:

Toss in the cleaned shrimp and spinach. Cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque (about 4–6 minutes). If using frozen spinach, let it cook an extra few minutes to heat through.

6. Mix in orzo & parsley:

Add in your cooked orzo and parsley flakes (or fresh parsley mix). Stir everything together until well combined and heated through.

7. Taste and adjust:

Season with salt and more seasoning blend if needed. Let it sit for a minute or two off the heat to thicken a little more.

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Serving Tip:

Serve warm in bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or finishing salt, if desired. This dish is rich, satisfying, and perfect for a cozy night in.

Why You’ll Love It:

• One-pan creamy goodness

• No heavy cream needed

• Naturally dairy-free with coconut milk

• Packed with veggies

• Perfect for weeknight meals or meal prep

Try it, tag me, and let me know how it turns out!