Steamy, saucy goodness! This Couscous Skillet is packed with vibrant flavors and freshness. Pearl couscous, tomatoes, chickpeas, spices, kale, and a bunch of fresh herbs and feta on top.
Okay, well, that’s our sign. It’s time to go home for the day and tuck into this.
This chickpea and couscous skillet is the exact right kind of SOS cozy winter-is-getting-long recipe that I’ve been needing in my life this month. What month is it, anyway?
In This Post: Everything You Need For This Couscous Skillet
This whole thing eats almost like a casserole – big scoops of steaming, saucy goodness going onto each plate – with the couscous bringing the chewy bite, the chickpeas giving it some oomph, and the canned tomatoes and herbs bringing the happy illusion of sunshine in the middle of winter.
Although, speaking of seasons, this guy can also be done in the summer – kind of like that one-pan tomato and kale farro recipe from last summer.
I’ve been serving this with a little side of massaged kale, which I like so much that I included it here. It’s not really enough to call a salad, because it’s just kale that gets a gentle little spa treatment, but it’s just the right thing to provide some brightness and crunch and pack in some greens for the day.
Maybe I am a child, but my favorite part of this recipe is the chickpea mash in Step 1 because it helps make the texture more interesting and gives it a very slight feeling of rich creaminess. Plus… mashing things is fun.
Description
Steamy, saucy goodness! This Couscous Skillet is packed with vibrant flavors and freshness. Pearl couscous, tomatoes, chickpeas, spices, kale, and a bunch of fresh herbs and feta on top.
Couscous Skillet with Tomatoes, Chickpeas, and Feta
Massaged Kale Salad (for serving, if you want):
Notes
The longer this rests, the more it will absorb liquid. I would recommend serving immediately, or just adding a bit more water when reheating to keep your leftovers creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Keywords: couscous, tomatoes, skillet dinner
Other Things To Know About This Couscous Skillet
Other Types Of Beans To Use
If not using chickpeas, my next choice would be white beans such as cannellini beans! They are a bit more delicate and might break down more during the simmer, so I would probably advise adding half at the beginning (to mash), and the remaining half of them closer to the end so they hold their shape.
Other Protein Options
If beans aren’t in the cards for you, I think this would be great with chicken meatballs (these ones are exceptionally easy and very popular) or just store-bought frozen meatballs as well. To make sure you get them cooked correctly, I’d recommend cooking them separately and then just serving it all together at the end.
And, I mean, a rotisserie chicken is never a bad idea when you’re looking to just add some juicy chunks of savory protein to a meal. My daughters go nuts every time I bring one home from the grocery store.
FYI For The Leftovers
This makes a relatively small batch (2-3 servings) so you might not have a ton of leftovers! But if you do, just know that the couscous will continue to absorb liquid and so your leftovers will look and feel a bit drier than it did right out of the pan.
It’s best to eat this one fresh, and if you’re reheating leftovers, just make sure to add some additional water or broth to help it get things saucy / creamy again.
Other Sides (Besides The Kale)
If kale isn’t your thing, here are a couple of my other favorite sides that would work really well here:
Couscous Skillet: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I mash the chickpeas?You can use a potato masher or just the back of a wooden spoon works perfectly!
How do I add protein to this couscous skillet?Some rotisserie chicken or baked chicken meatballs would be an excellent addition for a protein boost!
What is pearl couscous?Couscous is actually a type of nutty-tasting pasta made from semolina flour and water. You can find pearl couscous at nearly any large grocery store – it’s similar to regular couscous, but it’s a smidge bigger.
Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes with Parmesan Orzo Recipe
Shrimp laced with buttery garlic and thyme and a burst tomato sauce served on a creamy Parmesan orzo.
Juicy, succulent shrimp laced with garlic, butter, and thyme, tucked into a silky burst tomato sauce, and piled high on creamy, luscious Parmesan orzo. WHAT A DREAMBOAT DINNER. I love this recipe!
In This Post:
How To Make This Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes (with Pictures)
Step 1: Blister and Smash the Tomatoes
Get the tomatoes hot and blistery; then give ’em a gentle smash with the back of a spoon or a small plate. It’s… very fun.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
Make a little clearing right in the center of the tomatoes where you can add your shrimp to cook for a couple of minutes. Salt it up!
Step 3: Get the Garlic and Butter Going In There
Throw in a bunch of freshly sliced garlic and a knob of butter. Stir it up a few times until it’s dreamy.
Step 4: Make a Creamy Orzo
Put a lid on the shrimp and make a quick creamy orzo – butter, Parmesan, cream, lemon, and salt.
Step 5: Put It All Together
Piping hot orzo goes on the plate first, and then we pull our shrimp and tomatoes back out to pile on top.
Lindsay’s Notes
This recipe is in heavy rotation at the moment – and it never fails to make me feel like I’m eating at a fancy restaurant and/or generally have my life together. Is my laundry all over my table? Yes. Have I been using dry shampoo for the last 4 days? Yes. But am I also eating a kind of fancy and beautiful dinner? YES! Three cheers for doable “fancy” recipes. 10/10 recommend.
Creamy orzo with the twang of Parmesan, sweet burst tomatoes gently bubbled into a sauce, and a pile of jumbo, delicate, buttery, garlic-laced shrimp. Pass me a glass of wine and I am living my best life.
As far as family approval goes, Bjork and I love the whole big, beautiful thing – no thyme for him (a true crime and I don’t want to spend any more time talking about it), and lots of thyme, salt, and pepp for me. The girls are hit and miss with the shrimp and tomatoes, but you better believe they love the creamy Parmesan orzo which is, of course, just mac and cheese in disguise. They’ll usually eat a few of the fresh little tomatoes on the side, too. Winning for everybody!
Description
Shrimp laced with buttery garlic and thyme and a burst tomato sauce served on a creamy Parmesan orzo.
Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes:
Creamy Orzo:
- Cook the Orzo: Cook according to package directions. Drain, toss with a bit of oil, and set aside.
- Soften the Tomatoes: Add the tomatoes and olive oil to a pan over medium high heat so they can soften and get a bit blistered on the outside. I usually cover the pan to avoid extra splatters.
- Smash the Tomatoes: Once they’re soft (5 minutes or so), give them a gentle smash with the back of a spoon or applying even pressure with a plate or similar flat object. You want the tomatoes to be partially burst / smashed so they release some juices.
- Cook the Shrimp: Make a little clearing in the center of the tomatoes and add your shrimp right in; season them with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for 2 minutes on each side.
- Give it Some Flava-Flave: Add the garlic, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pan and stir to mix it all together. Let it get saucy and bubbly; then remove from heat and cover with a lid.
- Make the orzo: Mix the orzo with butter, half and half, Parmesan, and lemon. Stir to combine; warm it up over the heat if necessary.
- Pile it up: Serve immediately so the orzo doesn’t get too starchy and sticky! Pile it on a plate with a big scoop of steamy shrimp and tomatoes. Top with thyme. So good!
Notes
This amount usually makes enough for just Bjork and I to finish the shrimp, with plenty of orzo for us and the girls. If you wanted to serve 4 adults, I would use 2 pounds of shrimp!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: shrimp and orzo, orzo recipe, shrimp and tomatoes
Recipe Card powered byFrequently Asked Questions For Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes
What can I use instead of shrimp?Chicken would be delicious! I would probably pan-fry the chicken first, then take it out and set aside while you build your tomato sauce, then add the chicken back in at the end.
How long do the leftovers last?You can definitely eat this meal as leftovers for 1, maybe 2 days after you make it, but it’s one of those meals that really shines when it’s made fresh.
Can you make this vegetarian / meatless?Use zucchini in place of the shrimp! Or, similarly, this recipe is great.
How do you make this gluten-free and/or dairy-free?Use gluten free orzo, dairy-free butter (or olive oil), and something else creamy in place of the half and half and Parmesan – a knob of dairy-free cream cheese would be good!
Another option would be to skip the creamy orzo and serve this with quinoa or another gluten-free, dairy-free option.
My Favorite Shrimp Recipes
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Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
- Calories N/A
- Total Fat N/A
- Saturated Fat N/A
- Cholesterol N/A
- Sodium N/A
- Total Carbohydrates N/A
- Protein N/A
Hi, I'm Alex!
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