Instant Pot orzo and shrimp cooks very quickly, even though the orzo cooks first and then the shrimp is added. This pasta has a creamy, risotto-like texture even though no cream or dairy is added.
Make sure to finish the dish with plenty of lemon juice and fresh basil or parsley.
Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 8 minutes to reach pressure + 2 minutes cooking time + quick release
If necessary, you can use cooked, defrosted shrimp instead of raw shrimp. I've even used frozen, cooked shrimp and added it directly to the orzo when the shrimp is still frozen. Both work okay, but tend to bring down the temperature of the whole dish so neither the orzo or the shrimp are hot when you're ready to eat.
White wine is optional, but does add more flavor to the orzo. If you don't have white wine, just skip it and move on to the next step in the recipe.
This pasta can also be served as a cold shrimp and orzo pasta salad. Let the orzo and shrimp cool completely. Add mayonnaise and more lemon juice, plus salt and pepper to taste.
This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot.