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The mixed, finished, Asparagus Orzo salad with bacon in a glass bowl.
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Bacon Asparagus Orzo Salad Recipe

A delicious orzo salad with bacon and asparagus that makes a great main course or side dish.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Cool Time10 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 301kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 lb. fresh asparagus
  • 6 slices bacon
  • ¼ medium shallot diced
  • ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbles
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Gather and measure all ingredients.
    An overhead view of all the ingredients for this Asparagus Orzo With Bacon recipe on a white marble surface.
  • Preheat the oven to 400℉ and bring a pot of water to boil. Place bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes or until crisp. Drain the bacon on a paper towel to remove excess grease, then cut it into small bite-size pieces.
    Uncooked bacon on a baking sheet. Dark background.
  • While the bacon is in the oven, cook the orzo according to the package directions. Once done, drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil on the orzo so it doesn’t stick together and spread out on a sheet pan or plate to cool.
    Cooked orzo on a baking sheet for cooling.
  • Meanwhile, trim the thick ends of the asparagus and toss them out. Cut the remaining stalks into 1-inch pieces and saute with 1 Tbsp of oil over medium heat until just slightly brown, approximately 4-5 minutes. Set aside to cool. 
    Asparagus browned in a skillet.
  • Whisk together all dressing ingredients.
    Asparagus Orzo dressing mixed and sitting in a white bowl.
  • Once everything has slightly cooled, assemble the salad, drizzle the dressing, toss, and enjoy.
    The mixed, finished, Asparagus Orzo salad with bacon in a glass bowl.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 672mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 792IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 3mg