Pesto Orzo with Shrimp
Pesto Orzo with Shrimp marries tender, silky pasta with herbaceous basil pesto and a drizzle of good olive oil. Juicy shrimp, sweet red bell pepper, and briny capers add pops of flavor and texture, balanced by a touch of heat and a sprinkle of Parmesan. It’s a bright, weeknight-friendly dinner that tastes fresh and satisfying.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves3
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Pesto Orzo with Shrimp, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 13 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 51 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 27
- Heart Health
- 65
- Metabolic
- 29
- Digestive
- 29
- Inflammatory
- 51
- Performance
- 36
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- 2
Cook the orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but slightly firm, about 11 minutes.
- 3
Drain and transfer to a bowl; stir in 2 teaspoons pesto and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
- 4
Heat the remaining tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet; cook and stir the shrimp, red bell pepper, and capers in the hot oil until the shrimp is heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
- 5
Stir the remaining teaspoon pesto, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper into the shrimp mixture; cook and stir until combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
- 6
Stir the orzo into the shrimp mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
- Calories 622.88 kcal High 31%
- Protein 47.2 g Good Source 94%
- Carbohydrate 60.02 g 22%
- Total Fat 23.06 g High 30%
- Saturated Fat 4.04 g High 20%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 321.22 mg High 107%
- Sodium 546.26 mg High 24%
- Dietary Fiber 3.24 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 2.75 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 211.65 mg Moderate 16%
- Iron 3.24 mg Moderate 18%
- Potassium 219.72 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin A 23.77 mcg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin C 48.36 mg Good Source 54%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Shellfish 🦐
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Pesto Orzo with Shrimp is made with 12 ingredients and serves 3. It takes about 25 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Capers, Cooked Shrimp, Dried Oregano, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Each serving provides about 622.88 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Pesto Orzo with Shrimp made of?
- The main ingredients are Capers, Cooked Shrimp, Dried Oregano, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic Powder. The full list of 12 is above.
- How long does it take to make Pesto Orzo with Shrimp?
- About 25 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 622.88 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Pesto Orzo with Shrimp easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 12 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Pesto Orzo with Shrimp healthy?
- Pesto Orzo with Shrimp has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 622.88 calories and 47.2 g of protein, or 94% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 546.26 mg (24% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 4.04 g (20% of the Daily Value). It contains Shellfish, Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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