Name: Baked Shrimp, Feta, and Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 oz block feta cheese; 4 cups butternut squash (cubed); 1 shallot (sliced); 1 tbsp garlic (minced); 1 tsp Italian Seasoning; Salt & Pepper (to taste); 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined); 1 cup dry orzo pasta; 1-2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)

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I finally jumped on the trendy baked feta pasta train, and I must say, I’m happy to be on it. I’ve seen the videos floating around for over a year now, and I can’t believe it took me so long to give it a go. This dish is usually made with tomatoes baked with feta, but my partner and I aren’t the biggest tomato fans. We are however currently on a butternut squash kick, hence Baked Shrimp, Feta, and Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta was born. The sweet butternut squash pairs so well with the tangy feta cheese. Add a bit of spinach for greenery and perfectly cooked shrimp for protein.

Shrimp & Feta Pasta Ingredients:

(Scroll down for full recipe)

Block Feta Cheese
Butternut Squash– if you haven’t had butternut squash, think if pumpkin and a sweet potato had a love child. When roasted, it has the soft texture of pumpkin and the sweet delicate flavor of sweet potato.
Shallot– sliced
Garlic– minced
Italian Seasoning
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Shrimp– large peeled and deveined
Dry Orzo Pasta
Fresh Spinach

Equipment Needed:

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Knife
Cutting Board
9×13 Casserole Dish
Large Pot
Strainer

How to Make Shrimp & Feta Pasta:

Preheat oven to 400F.
Toss cubed butternut squash and sliced shallot in extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning. Add vegetable mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish. Make a bit of room in the center and add block of feta cheese. Bake vegetables and cheese for 35-40 minutes until squash is roasted and tender and feta cheese has softened.
Meanwhile, cook orzo pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo pasta and simmer for 7-10 minutes until desired tenderness is reached. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
Once squash and cheese have roasted, remove from oven and stir to combine softened cheese with vegetables. Top with shrimp and put back into the oven for 6-8 minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Internal temperature of shrimp should reach at least 120F.
Remove dish from oven and stir in fresh spinach and orzo pasta. Add a splash of pasta water, and stir to combine. If mixture is too thick, add more pasta water.
Plate and devour.

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