One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

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 soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, 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

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, topped with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a rich Italian-inspired meal.