It took me over a decade to come back to Ina Garten’s Roasted Shrimp and Orzo, and I’m honestly annoyed I waited this long.
This is one of those deceptively simple dishes with a few smart steps that take it to the next level.
The big one: tossing the orzo with the lemon vinaigrette while it’s still warm. The warm pasta actually absorbs the dressing, so you’re seasoning it from the inside out instead of just coating it. And roasting the shrimp is absolutely non-negotiable – you get a slightly sweet concentrated flavor that’s foolproof!
What keeps this from feeling like a heavy pasta salad is everything else Ina builds in: briny feta, sharp red onion, fresh herbs. It’s bright but still satisfying.
Strong contender for the salad of summer 2026.
Book: Barefoot Contessa at Home, page 74
Rating: 5/5
How Easy Is That – Skill Level: Easy
How Easy Is That – Time Involved: 1 hour 25 minutes
Store-Bought Is Fine: feta
Recipe on FoodNetwork.com
