Lemon Orecchiette with Feta and Blackened Shrimp

This is one of those dishes that you’ll be craving on a regular basis! I’m absolutely hooked on it!

It’s so fresh tasting and really big on flavor!

It’s super easy using minimal and easy to find ingredients too!

Did I mention It’s quick? ✅

❤️ Let me know if you’ll try it and please follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more yummy food and lifestyle inspo!

*inspired by Ina Garten and her lemon orzo recipe!

Lemon Orecchiette with

Feta and blackened shrimp

(Serves 2)

For the pasta:

* 1 tsp salt

* 1/2 tsp black pepper

* 2 cups Orecchiette pasta

* 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

* 1 tablespoon olive oil

* 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill

* 1/2 cup small-diced feta

In a large pan for pasta, bring water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the Orecchiette. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Drain.

Transfer the pasta to a bowl and while hot, stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Fold in the feta. Top with blackened shrimp and serve with an arugula salad.

For the Baked Blackened Shrimp

Ingredients

3/4-1 lb raw shrimp cleaned and deveined (this shrimp is really good left over, so your don’t need to use it all for this pasta dish if you don’t want to.)

2-3 T blackening seasoning * see note

1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F° and place a cooling rack on a baking sheet.  Spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium-sized bowl, drizzle raw shrimp with olive oil until they are lightly coated. Add blackened seasoning. Mix until coated.  Set aside while preparing pasta ingredients.

Lay shrimp on the prepared rack.

Bake undisturbed for 8 to 10 minutes while the pasta cooks. Don’t overcook shrimp.

Remove from oven and set aside while finishing the pasta. No need to keep it hot.

*Note:

Mary’s Rub:

Ingredients:

½ cup paprika ( ¼ regular and ¼ smoked)

1-3 T cayenne pepper (to taste)

3-5 T black pepper (to taste)

6 T garlic powder

3 T onion powder

3-5 T pink Himalayan salt (to taste)

2½ T dried oregano

2 ½ T dried thyme

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container.

Will stay fresh for several months.

Enjoy!!!