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Easy Italian BLT Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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A quick and easy Italian BLT orzo pasta salad featuring sun-dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh romaine, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups orzo pasta (about 270g)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed or rehydrated dry-packed)
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • ⅓ cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 6 cups (1.4 liters) of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1½ cups (270g) of orzo and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the orzo in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. While the orzo cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 bacon strips and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Chop ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 3 cups romaine lettuce, 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), ¼ cup red onion finely diced, and ¼ cup fresh basil leaves.
  5. Add the chopped bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, romaine, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil to the bowl with the cooled orzo. Pour ⅓ cup Italian dressing over the top.
  6. Toss everything together gently so the dressing evenly coats all ingredients but the lettuce remains crisp. If using Parmesan, fold in ½ cup freshly grated cheese now.
  7. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, keeping in mind the bacon adds salt.
  8. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld and firm up the salad. If chilled, add a splash more Italian dressing before serving if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook the orzo to avoid mushy texture. Rinse orzo under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Cook bacon on medium heat and drain on paper towels to keep salad from becoming soggy. Toss salad gently to keep lettuce crisp. Salad can be served immediately or chilled for 30 minutes. Add fresh lettuce before serving if storing leftovers to keep crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian salad, BLT salad, orzo pasta salad, sun-dried tomatoes, quick pasta salad, bacon salad, potluck recipe, easy dinner

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/easy-italian-blt-orzo-pasta-salad-recipe-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/