One-Pot Tomato Basil Orzo with Spinach

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 vibrant, easy one-pot dinner combining tender orzo pasta with fresh tomatoes, aromatic basil, and wilted spinach for a healthy and comforting meal. This Mediterranean-inspired one-pot recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup orzo pasta and toast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the edges begin to turn golden.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they start to soften.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Uncover and stir in 3 cups baby spinach and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Cook uncovered for another 3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm.

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