Lemon-Basil Orzo Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A light and bright summer pasta salad combining tender orzo with fresh cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a lemon vinaigrette. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz orzo pasta
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 minced garlic clove
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 minced garlic clove, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until emulsified.
Step 3: Add the cooled orzo pasta, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves to the bowl. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the lemon dressing.
Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts over the top. Toss lightly once more and serve this refreshing pasta salad chilled or at room temperature, perfect for warm summer lunches or picnics.