Creamy Cajun Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo

Name: Creamy Cajun Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb orzo pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped; 1/2 lemon, juiced; salt, to taste; 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp fresh thyme; 2 red bell peppers, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup white wine; 1 cup milk; 2 tsp Cajun seasoning; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

This Creamy Cajun Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo combines pan-seared spiced shrimp with a silky parmesan cream sauce and bright citrus-herb pasta, delivering restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Cajun shrimp 🏷️Creamy shrimp 🏷️Orzo 🏷️Pasta Lemon basil

🏷️

🏷️Bell pepper

-0:00

TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb orzo pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt, to taste
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp fresh thyme
2 red bell peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup milk
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Fresh basil leaves, for garnishoptional

17 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the hot pot.
2
To the cooked orzo, add 2 tbsp olive oil, chopped basil, juice of half a lemon, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
3
In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
4
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and pan-sear for 1-2 minutes per side.
5
Add butter and fresh thyme to the skillet with the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
6
In the same skillet, add the chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, and any remaining thyme. Sauté until the peppers are softened.
7
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
8
Stir in the milk, 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
9
Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss with the creamy sauce to coat.
10
Serve the creamy Cajun shrimp over the lemon basil orzo. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels before seasoning — moisture prevents proper browning and creates steam instead of a seared crust.
Don't skip the butter at the end; it emulsifies the sauce and adds richness that balances the acidity from lemon juice.
Toss orzo with lemon juice and basil while still warm so the pasta absorbs the bright flavors rather than sitting plain.
Use fresh thyme rather than dried for this dish — dried thyme can taste dusty and overpower the delicate basil and lemon.

Substitutions

Orzo → linguine or pappardelle (adjust sauce consistency; longer pasta holds sauce differently)
Fresh basil → fresh cilantro or parsley (cilantro adds a different herbaceous note; parsley is milder)
Parmesan → Pecorino Romano (sharper flavor; use less as it's more pungent)
Butter → heavy cream (adds richness but loses the silky mouthfeel butter provides)

Storage & make-ahead

Store shrimp and orzo separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Reheat the shrimp gently in a pan over low heat, and warm orzo with a splash of pasta water to restore creaminess.

Common Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Cook the orzo and shrimp separately, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore sauce consistency.