Main Meals04.29.2026

Smoky Tomato-Parmesan Shrimp Orzo

Name: Smoky Tomato-Parmesan Shrimp Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 16-18 shrimp, peeled & deveined; 130 g dry orzo; 2 large tomatoes, finely diced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp nutritional yeast; 1/4 cup broth or water, as needed; 1/2 tsp sugar, optional; 1/2 tbsp avocado oil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp oregano; 1/4 tsp smoked paprika; 1/8 tsp cumin; red pepper flakes, to taste; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan, plus more for serving

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 30 min

Serves 2

Tender shrimp meet creamy, smoky tomato orzo in this cozy weeknight pasta loaded with Parmesan and a kick of paprika.

Ingredients

16-18 shrimp (peeled & deveined)

130 g dry orzo

2 large tomatoes (finely diced)

1 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

¼ cup broth or water (as needed)

½ tsp sugar (optional)

½ tbsp avocado oil

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp onion powder

¼ tsp oregano

¼ tsp smoked paprika

0.13 tsp cumin

red pepper flakes (to taste)

¼ cup shredded Parmesan (plus more for serving)

Instructions

Season shrimp with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Cook in a pan over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side until opaque. Set aside.

Cook orzo in boiling salted water for 4–5 minutes until just shy of al dente. Drain and return to pot.

In a saucepan, heat oil with tomato paste and tomatoes. Cover and cook 4–5 minutes until soft.

Blend tomatoes with nutritional yeast, remaining seasonings, and cumin until smooth.

Add sauce to orzo and cook over medium-low, stirring, 5–6 minutes until creamy and fully cooked. Add broth as needed.

Stir in Parmesan. Taste and add sugar if needed. Serve topped with shrimp, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.