Shrimp Orzo Pasta Salad

Are dill pickles the secret to enhancing every dish? In this case, the answer is undoubtedly yes. This quick 30-minute orzo pasta salad is made with shrimp, peas, and celery in a creamy mayo-based dressing, elevated with savory Worcestershire sauce, tangy Dijon mustard, and zesty lemon. Chopped dill pickles and fresh dill are mixed in with the shrimp-orzo combination, creating a refreshing, vibrant summertime salad. Perfect as a side at your next barbecue or as the main dish paired with grilled veggies. For added flavor and texture, consider adding finely chopped radishes or capers.

Semolina Pasta

Ingredients List

• 1 lb. large raw shrimp, peeled and tails removed

• 1 lb. orzo pasta

• 1 cup sweet peas, fresh or frozen

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

• 2 tsp. lemon zest, plus 1/3 cup fresh juice (from 3 lemons)

• 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus extra for cooking the orzo

• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for garnish

• 3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 2 medium celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)

• 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped (from a 16-oz. jar)

• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped, plus extra for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink. Use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the shrimp to a colander set in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Rinse the shrimp under cold water to stop the cooking process, then pat them dry and transfer them to a large bowl.

2. Bring the water back to a boil in the same pot over high heat. Add salt and orzo, cooking it as per the package instructions to reach al dente texture. Add the peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain the orzo and peas, rinse them with cold water, and drain thoroughly. Add them to the bowl with the shrimp.

3. While the orzo is cooking, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of water, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

4. Pour the dressing into the large bowl with the shrimp and stir to coat everything evenly. Add the chopped celery, pickles, and dill, and mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with extra pepper and dill.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Shrimp - For a different flavor, replace shrimp with grilled, poached, or rotisserie chicken. Simply chop or tear the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix into the mayonnaise dressing. Alternatively, leave out the seafood and chicken to create a vegetarian version (use vegetarian Worcestershire sauce in this case).
• Orzo - You can substitute orzo with another small pasta like ditalini, or try Israeli couscous or cooked brown rice.
• Sweet peas - If you prefer, replace peas with finely chopped cooked broccoli or chopped sugar snap peas.
• Dill pickles - For a tangy substitute, use capers instead.
• Dill - You can replace fresh dill with chopped flat-leaf parsley or fennel fronds for a different herbal note.