Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini | An easy side dish full of veggies and flavor!
I am for sure a CARB-o-HOLIC. I almost never meet a bread I don’t like or a pasta that I don’t want to sing romance songs to. I rarely buy big yummy loafs of bread, because I will eat them all up instead of my dinner.
You know. Like a toddler.
But pasta salads are really the best of both worlds! You get your delicious carbs, but you don’t have to feel super bad about it, because there are also lots of nice yummy veggies thrown in!
This pasta salad is just like that. It’s got delicious orzo, which I just love and think is so perfect for summery side salads, and then it’s got fresh asparagus and zucchini. Plus! It doesn’t have a mayo base, making it perfect to bring to summer BBQ’s and picnics. It has the sweetness of shallots, the tartness of some lemon, and some red pepper flakes for extra kick at the end.
It’s a flavor sensation if I do say so myself. :)
Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 shallot diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 bunch of asparagus cut to bite sized pieces
- 2 small zucchini cut into 1/2 inch and 1/2 moon pieces
- 1 cup dry orzo
- juice of half a lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil some water and cook the orzo according to package instructions, immediately after draining the orzo, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
- While the orzo is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallot, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the shallot is translucent, about a minute.
- Add the zucchini and asparagus, stir to combine. Cook until the asparagus is soft, stirring often, about 12 minutes.
- Remove the veggies from the heat, and put in a large bowl. Add the orzo. Squeeze the lemon over, stir, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate and serve
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Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini
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Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Oh yeah, this looks so fantastic!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I want a whole bowl right now. All my favorites in one place!
Kay says
It’s supposed to be served cold?
Kay, it can be served hot or cold, but I think it’s a little better when allowed to cool and be served cold.
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Hi Lisa, your recipe looks delicious! I have asparagus and zucchini growing in our garden and I am going to make this very soon. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe.
Jane
Deb says
I love orzo pasta and this looks great with the veggies added. Thanks for sharing with us at Marvelous Monday…pinned!
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls says
Oh yum!! That looks delicious Lisa, and so simple to prepare. :)