Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad
with Crispy Bacon and Chili Butternut Squash
Its hot out and we hear you. Creamy orzo and crunchy bacon is the perfect combo for this simple lemony pasta, all in 30 minutes!
The quantities provided above are averages only.
Produced in a facility that processes milk, sesame, eggs, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybean and sulphites.
Ingredients
250 g
Bacon Strips
340 g
Butternut Squash, cubes
10 g
Garlic
56 g
Baby Spinach
½ tsp
Chili Flakes
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese, shredded
(Contains Milk)
170 g
Orzo
(Contains Wheat)
1 unit
Lemon
Not included in your delivery
2 tbsp
Sugar*
4 tsp
Salt*
tbsp
Oil*
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
Preheat the oven to 425°F (to roast the squash). Start prepping when the oven comes up to temperature! In Step 4, whisking vigorously helps the acid in the dressing mellow the flavour of the garlic!
Wash and dry all produce.* In a large pot, add 10 1/2 cups water and 2 tsp salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, on a baking sheet, toss the squash with 1/2 tsp chili flakes (dbl for 4 ppl) and 1 tbsp oil (dbl for 4 ppl). Season with salt and pepper. Roast in the centre of the oven, stirring halfway through cooking, until golden and tender, 20-22 min.
Meanwhile, cut the bacon into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil (dbl for 4 ppl), then the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 7-8 min. Remove the pan from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a small bowl. Set aside.
Meanwhile, add the orzo to the medium pot with the boiling water. Cook until the orzo is tender, 9-10 min. Meanwhile, mince or grate 1 clove garlic (dbl for 4 ppl). Zest, then juice half the lemon (1 lemon for 4 ppl), then cut the remaining lemon into wedges.
In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, 1/2 tsp sugar (dbl for 4 ppl) and 2 tbsp oil (dbl for 4 ppl). Set aside.
When the orzo is tender, add the spinach into the same pot. Stir together until the spinach wilts, 1 min. Drain and rinse the orzo and spinach under cold running water. Add the orzo, spinach, squash and half the bacon into the large bowl with the dressing. Toss together, then season with salt and pepper.
Divide the lemony orzo pasta salad between bowls. Top with the remaining bacon and sprinkle with the cheese. Squeeze over a lemon wedge, if desired.
