Shrimp and Orzo Pasta with Feta & Roasted Butternut Squash

This Shrimp and Orzo Pasta with Feta & Roasted Butternut Squash is cozy, creamy, and packed with flavor in every bite. Roasted veggies, tender shrimp, and melty feta come together in one dreamy Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish that’s as easy as it is impressive.

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 max flavor and minimal cleanup. Just stir cooked orzo pasta.
• Creamy, Tangy, Savory Goodness – Baked feta melts into a rich, salty sauce that pairs perfectly with tender shrimp and orzo pasta.
• Meal Prep or Dinner Party Ready – Simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but fancy enough to serve guests.

Key Ingredients:

• Feta Cheese (block-style) – Skip the crumbles! A full block of feta melts into a creamy, salty base that coats this baked shrimp pasta like a dream.
• Butternut Squash – Roasted until golden and tender, butternut squash adds a slight sweetness that balances out the briny feta.
• Shrimp – Choose large, jumbo, or colossal raw shrimp (peeled and deveined). They cook quickly in the oven right along side the feta and butternut squash for easy clean up.
• Orzo Pasta – This small, rice-shaped pasta is the perfect base. It holds onto the creamy feta sauce and adds just the right texture to this shrimp feta pasta.
• Garlic & Shallot – Classic aromatics that roast alongside the squash, building deep flavor.
• Fresh Spinach – Stirred in at the end for a pop of green, nutrients, and texture.
• Fresh Thyme – Adds a subtle earthiness and herbiness.

Dietary & Allergy-Friendly Swaps:

• Make it Gluten-Free: Just swap the orzo for a gluten-free version or your favorite gluten-free short cut pasta if orzo is hard to find.
• Make it Vegetarian: Skip the shrimp and bulk it up with roasted chickpeas or white beans for protein. This orzo pasta with feta stays just as flavorful and veggie-packed, even without the seafood!
• Make it Lower Carb: Sub the orzo for cooked cauliflower rice or a lower-carb pasta alternative. It won’t be the same texture, but the feta, squash, and shrimp still shine.

Recipe Variations:

• Chicken Feta Pasta: Swap the shrimp for cubed chicken breast or thighs. Sear or roast until golden and cooked through, then stir in just like the shrimp.
• Lemony Orzo with Shrimp: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a bit of lemon zest when stirring everything together. It brightens the dish and gives the shrimp and orzo pasta a zesty Mediterranean flavor.
• Baked Boursin Pasta: Sub the feta with a round of Boursin garlic herb cheese. It melts into a creamy, herby sauce that’s ultra cozy.

How to Make Butternut Squash Shrimp Feta Pasta:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. This gives the squash and feta time to roast while you prep everything else.
2. Roast the squash and feta. Add cubed butternut squash to a 9×13 baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and toss with minced shallot, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Nestle the block of feta in the center and flip it once to coat. Roast for 35–40 minutes until the squash is tender and feta is soft.
3. Cook the orzo. While the squash roasts, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and simmer 7–10 minutes until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
4. Add shrimp to the baking dish. Once the squash and feta are roasted, tuck the shrimp into the dish and return it to the oven for 6–8 minutes, until pink and fully cooked.
5. Stir it all together. Remove the dish from the oven. Add chopped spinach and cooked orzo. Stir everything together, breaking up the feta into a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
6. Serve immediately. Top with extra fresh herbs or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you’d like a kick!

Tips for Success:

• Don’t overcook the shrimp. They only need 6–8 minutes in the oven. You’ll know they’re done when they’re pink and just opaque. Any longer and they can turn rubbery.
• Cut the squash evenly. Try to keep your butternut squash cubes around 1 inch for even roasting. Smaller pieces can burn before the rest is ready.
• Reserve your pasta water! It’s the secret to a silky, well-emulsified sauce in this orzo pasta with feta recipe. Add it slowly, and stir until everything coats the shrimp feta pasta perfectly.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Make Ahead: You can roast the butternut squash and feta up to a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge, then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm before adding the shrimp.
• Storage: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it a great next-day lunch!
• Reheat: Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to re-incorporate the feta.
• Freezing not recommended.

What to Serve with Shrimp and Orzo Pasta:

This shrimp and feta pasta pairs perfectly with simple sides that keep the Mediterranean vibe. Here are some great ideas to round out your meal:

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

FAQ's:

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, tender shrimp, and orzo pasta. Baked together for an easy, impressive meal. Perfect for weeknights or entertaining!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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 deveined
• 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

• Tips for Success:
  • Don’t overcook shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if left too long.
  • Use evenly cut squash pieces for consistent roasting.
  • Save pasta water to create a silky sauce.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
• To Make Gluten-Free: Sub the orzo for a gluten-free variety or your favorite gluten-free short cut 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

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Tried This Shrimp Feta Orzo Pasta recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! ⭐ Please leave a star rating and review in the recipe card below. Your feedback helps others discover this ultra-flavorful, easy dish. Enjoy, and happy cooking! Follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes, travel inspiration, and behind-the-scenes content.