Spinach Garlic Parmesan Orzo with Crispy Bacon

🥘 Ingredients

• bacon
  8 slices
• butter
  1 tbsp
• fresh flat-leaf parsley
• garlic (finely minced)
  3 cloves
• garlic powder
  1/2 tsp
• orzo pasta (uncooked)
  10 oz
• parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  1/2 cup
• pepper
• red bell pepper (cut into chunks)
  1
• red chili pepper flakes
  1/2 tsp
• reserved pasta water
  1/2 cup
• salt
• shredded carrots
  1/2 cup
• spinach
  5 oz
• sweet corn (frozen or fresh)
  2/3 cup

🍳 Cookware

• large skillet
• large pot

1. 1

   Add bacon to a large skillet and place over medium heat. Cook bacon on both sides until crispy and golden brown. Once done, blot with paper towel, chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

   bacon: 8 slices
2. 2

   While the bacon is cooking, place a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, cook orzo pasta until al dente, about ⏱️ 7-9 minutes . Drain pasta, reserving reserved pasta water ; set aside.

   orzo pasta: 10 oz (uncooked), reserved pasta water: 1/2 cup
3. 3

   Add butter to the same pot over medium heat. Once melted, add garlic , shredded carrots , sweet corn and red bell pepper ; saute for ⏱️ 2 minutes .

   butter: 1 tbsp, garlic: 3 cloves (finely minced), shredded carrots: 1/2 cup, sweet corn: 2/3 cup (frozen or fresh), red bell pepper: 1 (cut into chunks)
4. 4

   Add spinach ; cook until wilted, about ⏱️ 2 minutes . Add the cooked orzo back into the pot and turn heat to low. Stir in the reserved pasta water, parmesan cheese , garlic powder and red chili pepper flakes .

   spinach: 5 oz, parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup (freshly grated), garlic powder: 1/2 tsp, red chili pepper flakes: 1/2 tsp
5. 5

   Stir in bacon crumbles. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh flat-leaf parsley before serving.

   salt, pepper, fresh flat-leaf parsley