Go Back
Greek Kritharoto with Shrimps and Feta

Greek Kritharoto with Shrimps and Feta

Greek Kritharoto (Orzo pasta) with Shrimps and Feta is a delightful dish that brings joy and flavor to your table. With its simple yet delicious combination of ingredients, easy preparation steps, and vibrant Mediterranean flavors, it is a must-try recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6
Calories 494 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Pot large
  • 1 Pot medium

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce

  • 425 g Shrimps (Vannamei large) (15 oz) defrosted
  • 1 Onion , chopped
  • 1 Garlic clove , pressed
  • 680 g Grated tomatoes (24 oz) (*see note)
  • 100 ml Water (½ cup)
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder , smoked
  • 1 Fish stock cube (* see note)
  • 1 tbsp Basil fresh , chopped
  • ½ tsp Piri piri or cayenne pepper
  • 1½ tsp Honey or sugar
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • ½ tsp Umami powder , (optional)
  • 50 g Feta (1.8 oz) crumbled

Orzo / Risoni

  • 500 g Orzo / Risoni (17.6 oz)
  • 1½ litre Water (50.7 fl.oz)
  • 2 tsp Salt

For serving

  • Feta , crumbled (on top)
  • Basil fresh chopped (on top)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by chopping the onion.
    chopped onion
  • Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pot and sauté the chopped onion and pressed garlic until they become translucent
    onion and garlic
  • Next, add the grated tomatoes, water, smoked garlic powder, chopped fresh basil, fish stock cube, honey, butter, black pepper, and umami powder (optional) to the pot.
    tomato sauce for Greek Kritharoto with Shrimps and Feta
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to let it simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the crumbled feta cheese and the shrimps to the pot, allowing them to boil for 2 minutes.
    shrimps in sauce
  • Cover the pot with a lid and set it aside, as the residual heat from the sauce will continue to cook the shrimps. It’s important not to overcook them, as they may become tough.
  • Meanwhile, in another large pot, bring water to a boil and add some salt.
  • Once the water is boiling, add the orzo (risoni) and lower the heat to medium. Let it boil for 10 minutes or as per the package instructions.
  • When the orzo is al dente, check if most of the water has been absorbed. If excess water remains, strain off some of it.
    cooking orzo pasta
  • Mix the shrimp sauce into the orzo thoroughly. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes to allow the orzo to absorb the flavors.
    orzo pasta in sauce
  • If you find that the kritharoto / orzo is too compact for your liking, feel free to adjust the consistency by adding a little hot water.
  • Add a finishing touch by sprinkling some crumbled feta and chopped fresh basil on top of the dish before serving.
    Greek Kritharoto with Shrimps and Feta
Keyword Feta, Greek, krithari, Orzo pasta, risoni, shrimps