One-Pot Tomato Basil Rice with Garlic

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A simple, fragrant one-pot rice dish combining fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil for a wholesome meal. This international-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs long grain white rice, ripe tomatoes, 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

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 medium, diced ripe tomatoes
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 diced medium ripe tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften and release juices.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup long grain white rice to the pot and stir well to coat rice with the tomato and garlic mixture for 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth, then add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and gently fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.