Creamy orzo pasta, fresh asparagus, crispy bacon, caramelized shallots. All of my favorite things rolled into one delicious side dish. This one pot orzo, bacon and asparagus makes the perfect side dish to pair with any protein; chicken, beef and seafood all work beautifully alongside this one-pot dish.
Course main course, pasta, side dish, sides
Keyword asparagus, bacon, orzo, shallots
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 183kcal
Author Steph
Equipment
sauce pan
Ingredients
4slicescenter cut bacon
2shallots
2clovesgarlic
4ozorzoweighed dry, uncooked
1 1/3cupchicken broth
1bunchasparagus
Instructions
Wash the asparagus, trim off the rough ends (approximately 1-2" inches from the bottom).
Chop the asparagus into 1" pieces.
Add the asparagus into a small bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Microwave the asparagus for approximately 5 minutes to steam.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and set aside covered until ready to use later.
Chop the bacon, slice the shallots, and mince the garlic.
Measure out the orzo pasta (weighed uncooked).
Add the chopped bacon to a saucepan, and turn the heat to medium.
Cook the bacon for ten minutes,
Keep the bacon and the bacon grease in the pot, and then add the sliced shallots.
Cook the shallots for another 5 minutes, tossing it around with the grease while cooking.
Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute or until fragrant,
Add the dry orzo, and toss it around with the other ingredients for one minute.
Add the broth, and stir the ingredients to combine.
Cover the pot with a lid, and reduce the heat to low.
Cook for 13-15 minutes (check after 13) or until the liquid is absorbed, and the orzo is tender.
Add the asparagus to the cooked orzo mixture and toss to coat.
Taste for seasoning (if you use reduced sodium chicken broth, you might need a pinch more salt).