Shrimp, Bacon, Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Shrimp, Bacon, Avocado Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 pound dry fusilli pasta; 1/2 pound peeled, deveined raw shrimp; 1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more salt for the pasta water); 3 to 4 thick-cut slices bacon (about 3 ounces), sliced into 1/2 inch pieces; 1/3 cup red onion, diced; 1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced; 1/3 cup yellow bell pepper, diced; 2 green onions, thinly sliced, including the green onion greens; 1 avocado; 1/4 cup (packed) cilantro, roughly chopped; Dressing:; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar); 1 teaspoon lime zest; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

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You know summer has arrived in Sacramento when it's 11:00 at night and it's 85°F outside!

We had our first over 100° day of the season yesterday, prompting the wisest of the city's population to stay huddled indoors next to an AC vent. (That would be me.)

Even my mother drove the half block it takes to get to my house from hers when she stopped by to visit. (She gets a pass, she's 80.)

What to make/eat on a hot day? This pasta salad. It has two of my favorite food groups—avocado & bacon—which basically taste great with anything, and especially with chipotle marinated shrimp.

The zesty lime vinaigrette dressing ties everything together.

Pro tip on pasta salads: add more vinegar than you would expect. A typical vinaigrette ratio is 2:1 or 3:1 oil to acid. This salad's vinaigrette is more like 2:3. Some of that acid is to counteract the richness of the avocado and bacon. Some of it is just because pasta salads do better with more vinegar. It brightens the flavor.

Shrimp, Bacon, Avocado Pasta Salad

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Servings 4 to 6 servings

1/2 pound dry fusilli pasta
1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more salt for the pasta water)
3 to 4 thick-cut slices bacon (about 3 ounces), sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced, including the onion greens
1 avocado
1/4 cup (packed) cilantro, roughly chopped

Dressing:

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Toss shrimp with chipotle chile powder and salt and put in the refrigerator to marinate while you make the pasta and the rest of the salad.
Put a large pot of salted water on to a boil (2 quarts of water, 1 Tbsp salt).
While the water is heating, cook the bacon. Put the bacon in a small saucepan on medium heat. Cook until most of the fat has rendered out and the bacon pieces are lightly browned. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Discard or save for future use all but one tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat (do not pour bacon fat down the drain or you will be calling your plumber).

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Increase the heat to high and add the shrimp. Sauté until done, a few minutes.
When the pasta water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente, cooked through but still a little firm to the bite (usually 1 or 2 minutes less than what the package calls for).
Put all of the dressing ingredients into a jar, cover and shake until well blended.
When the pasta is ready, strain it and rinse with cold water. Place in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss with the shrimp, bacon, bell peppers, and onions. Add the cilantro and avocado just before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
314	Calories
20g	Fat
21g	Carbs
14g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	314
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 667mg	29%
Total Carbohydrate 21g	8%
Dietary Fiber 6g	21%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 38mg	189%
Calcium 41mg	3%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 531mg	11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.