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
did you make this
Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini
You might also like
Danielle Baranowski says
I’m very confused where this recipe is. I saw it yesterday, bought all the ingredients and today I brought your page back up and the only recipe I can find is “Lemon Cheesecake Crescent Braid.” I’m looking for the recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini.
Thank you!
I’m so sorry Danielle! My site has this REALLY annoying habit of playing musical chairs with my recipes. It pretty much makes me bananas :) The original recipe is back now. I hope you enjoy it!!
Laurie Campbell says
This recipe does not show how much olive oil or have it listed in the ingredients list, only mentions heating it in the recipe. How much olive oil?
You are so right, Laurie! This was written back in the day before I had a true appreciation for my readers following my recipes. You only need enough to coat the bottom of your pan to saute your vegetables. About 1 to 2 tablespoons.