Orzo with Bacon and Shrimp

Recipe Information

Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6

This is a savory dish packed with textures and colors. It’s creamy and rich tasting like risotto but without all the stirring! It’s a full meal, with plenty of shrimp and crispy bacon to add protein to the pasta.

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups orzo
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation

1. Line a plate with a paper towel and reserve. Place a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to the prepared plate and reserve.
2. Add the onion to the bacon fat in the pan. 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 stock, salt, pepper and paprika and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. The orzo will be barely al dente.
3. Stir the shrimp and peas into the pot. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the pasta is surrounded by a thick, creamy broth.
4. Serve sprinkled with bacon and parsley.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with a fresh green salad or sauteed spinach.

Nutritional Information

420 calories, 6 g. fat, 200 mg. cholesterol, 1340 mg. sodium, 55 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. fiber, 34 g. protein