Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup
A comforting, vibrant soup featuring orzo pasta simmered with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of garlic, all in one pot. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup for serving grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Add 3/4 cup orzo pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 9-11 minutes until orzo is tender and soup thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Step 6: Serve hot, topped with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a rich Italian-inspired meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Italian One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
