Shrimp and Orzo Pasta with Baked Feta

This Shrimp and Orzo Pasta with Baked Feta is creamy and packed with flavor. Roasted butternut squash, tender shrimp, and melty feta come together in one Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Why You'll Love this Shrimp and Orzo Pasta Recipe:

• One-Pan, One Pot Meal: The feta, butternut squash, and shrimp all roast together in the oven for minimal cleanup. Just stir cooked orzo pasta, and done!
• Creamy, Tangy, Savory Goodness: Baked feta melts into a rich, salty sauce that pairs perfectly with the shrimp and butternut squash.
• Simple but Elegant: Simple enough for a weeknight dinner at home, but fancy enough to serve guests.

Key Ingredients:

• Feta Cheese (block-style): Skip the crumbles for this recipe! A full block of feta melts into a creamy, salty sauce.
• Butternut Squash: Roasted until tender, butternut squash and a subtle sweetness that goes so so well with the savory feta cheese.
• Shrimp: Go with large or jumbo peeled and de-veined shrimp. They cook in the oven right along side the butternut squash and feta for super easy cleanup.
• Orzo Pasta: Small rice shaped pasta creates the perfect base.
• Garlic & Shallot: Classic aromatics that deepen the flavor.
• Fresh Spinach: Stirred in right at the end for a pop of color and nutrients.
• Fresh Thyme: One of my favorite herbs because it goes well with almost anything. Earthy with a subtle note of pepper.

Dietary Swaps:

• Gluten-Free: Swap the orzo pasta for your favorite gluten free pasta.
• Vegetarian: Omit the shrimp and bulk this pasta up with extra veggies! Sauteed mushrooms are a great addition!
• Lower-Carb: Sub the orzo for cooked cauliflower rice.

Recipe Variations:

• Sub Chicken: Swap the shrimp for chopped cooked chicken.
• Make it Lemony: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It brightens the dish and goes really well with the butternut squash and feta.
• Baked Boursin: Swap the feta cheese of garlic & herb Boursin cheese. It melts really well and creates a velvety sauce for the orzo.

How to Make Butternut Squash Shrimp Feta Pasta:

1. Preheat: Set oven to 400°F.
2. Roast Squash & Feta: In a 9×13 dish, toss cubed squash with olive oil, shallot, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Nestle the feta in the center, flipping to coat. Roast for 35-40 minutes, until squash is tender and feta is soft.
3. Cook Orzo: While roasting, boil orzo in salted water for 7-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
4. Add Shrimp: Add shrimp to the baking dish and roast 6-8 minutes, until pink and cooked through.
5. Combine: Stir in spinach and cooked orzo, breaking up the feta into a creamy sauce. Add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Notes:

• Don't overcook the shrimp: Shrimp only need 6-8 minutes in the oven. You will know they are done when they are pink and opaque. Too long and they will become rubbery.
• Reserve your pasta water! It's called liquid gold for a reason, and is the secret to most pasta sauces due to it's starch and salt content. Stir in a splash at the end to turn the melted feta into a lovely sauce.

Storage & Reheating:

• Make Ahead: Roast the squash and feta up to 1 day in advance. Store covered in the fridge and reheat at 350°F until warm before adding shrimp and continuing with the recipe as written.
• Storage: Store in an air tight container. Leftovers keep in the fridge up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm in the stove top over medium-low heat. Stir as it reheats, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce as needed.
• Freezing not recommended.

What to Serve with Shrimp and Orzo Pasta:

This shrimp pasta pairs wonderfully with light sides, especially ones with a Mediterranean vibe such as these recipes:

• Crunchy Romaine Salad with Pistachios, Olives & Garlic Herb Dressing
• Easy & Creamy Homemade Tzatziki with Mediterranean Olives
• Easy Air Fryer Asparagus

FAQs:

More Easy Pasta Dishes You Will Love:

• Easy Veggie Pasta with Garlic Parmesan Sauce
• Easy Greek Tortellini Salad with Smashed Feta Dressing
• Quick & Easy Mediterranean Tuna Pasta with Olive Tapenade
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta

Recipe

Shrimp and Orzo Pasta with Feta & Roasted Butternut Squash

A cozy and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring roasted butternut squash, creamy baked feta, shrimp, and orzo pasta. Baked together for an easy, impressive meal.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course, Pasta

Servings 4

Calories 460 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 block 8 oz feta cheese block-style, not crumbled
• 3 cups butternut squash peeled and cubed ~1-inch pieces
• 1 lb large raw shrimp peeled and de-veined
• 1 cup orzo pasta gluten-free if preferred
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 small shallot minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried
• 3 cups fresh spinach chopped
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• In a 9x13 baking dish, toss butternut squash cubes with olive oil, garlic, shallot, thyme, salt, and pepper. Nestle the block of feta in the center and flip once to coat with oil and seasoning. Roast for 35-40 minutes until squash is tender and feta is soft.
• While roasting, cook orzo in boiling salted water until al dente (7-10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
• Remove baking dish from oven and tuck shrimp around the feta and squash. Return to oven for 6-8 minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
• Stir in chopped spinach and cooked orzo, breaking up feta to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen sauce to desired consistency.
• Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

• Don't forget to save some pasta water! It's key to a silky sauce.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove top with a splash of water or broth.
• Gluten-Free: Sub orzo pasta with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
• Nutritional Information is an estimate only and will vary according to specific ingredients and amounts used. 

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 57.5gProtein: 46.8gFat: 5.9gSaturated Fat: 0.9gFiber: 2.8gSugar: 5.8g

Keyword shrimp and orzo, shrimp feta pasta

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