Description
This creamy Cajun prawn orzo is a flavorful one-pan dish combining tender king prawns, perfectly cooked orzo, and vibrant baby spinach, all enveloped in a rich, spiced tomato and crème fraîche sauce. Infused with smoked paprika and a medley of aromatic spices, this quick and easy recipe delivers a comforting yet lively meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Spice Mix
- 150g orzo
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules
- pinch of turmeric
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 150g raw peeled king prawns
- 2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche
- 200g baby spinach
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the orzo, reserving one cup of the cooking water, then set aside.
- Prepare the Cajun spice mix: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, dried oregano or thyme, black pepper, garlic granules, and turmeric to create the flavorful Cajun spice blend.
- Sauté the onions: Heat olive oil in a large, ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until soft and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add garlic and sauté: Add the thinly sliced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to release its aroma.
- Cook prawns with spices and tomato purée: Stir in the tomato purée, raw peeled king prawns, and the prepared Cajun spice mix. Fry everything together for 1 minute, ensuring the prawns are well coated with the spices and tomato base.
- Add spinach and season: Add the baby spinach to the pan with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts down and the prawns turn opaque and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved orzo cooking water to loosen the sauce.
- Combine orzo and crème fraîche: Stir the cooked orzo and half-fat crème fraîche into the pan. Mix well, adjusting the sauce consistency by adding more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy texture.
- Serve immediately: Once everything is heated through and combined, serve the creamy Cajun prawn orzo straightaway for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency—this helps create a creamy texture without additional cream or stock.
- You can substitute king prawns with shrimp or other seafood if preferred.
- Adjust the spices according to your heat preference; the smoked paprika adds warmth without excessive heat.
- For a dairy-free version, replace the crème fraîche with a coconut cream or a plant-based alternative.
- Using an ovenproof pan ensures versatility and easy transfer to the oven if you choose to finish cooking or keep warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Keywords: cajun prawn orzo, creamy orzo recipe, quick prawn dinner, one-pan seafood pasta, healthy seafood meal
