Tap here to get 5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini

|

posted: 05/12/14

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
|
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini | An easy side dish full of veggies and flavor!Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini | www.wineandglue.com | 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.

Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini | www.wineandglue.com | An easy side dish full of veggies and flavor!

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 | www.wineandglue.com | An easy side dish full of veggies and flavor!

No ratings yet

Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini

(tap # to scale)

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
Author: Lisa Longley

did you make this

Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini

I'd love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

You might also like

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

pesto_pasta_salad

Roasted Eggplant Salad

eggplant_side_salad

 

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you & seeing what you made!

    Rate This Recipe:




  1. 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!

    • Lisa Longley says

      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!!

  2. 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?

    • Lisa Longley says

      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.

Trackbacks

  1. 18 Zucchini Recipes - because there really is such a thing as too many zucchini! | Bless This Mess says:

    […] Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Zucchini from Wine & […]

SUPER-SIMPLEFAMILY FAVORITES
Broccoli Pasta"Omg! I didn’t think anything so simple could be so good!"
overhead of skillet of Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients on a cooling rack with toasted bread sitting beside
Cajun Shrimp Pasta"My family absolutely loved this recipe. Even my finicky eaters."
overhead photo of a gray skillet filled with beef and broccoli recipe, garnished with sliced green onions
Beef and Broccoli Recipe"I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe."

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!