One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo with Garlic and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 developed and reviewed.

A comforting one-pot orzo pasta simmered in a rich tomato sauce with fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 cup orzo pasta and toast for 1 minute, coating the orzo evenly with the garlic oil.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until orzo is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil until melted and well combined. Serve warm.

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