Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Print version)

Fluffy quinoa tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small zucchini, diced
05 - 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
06 - 1 small red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Aromatics & Seasonings

09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Herbs & Finish

14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F
02 - On a large baking sheet, toss bell pepper, zucchini, carrot, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper
03 - Roast vegetables in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and tender
04 - Combine rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes
05 - Fluff quinoa with a fork to separate grains
06 - In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika
07 - Add cooked quinoa and roasted vegetables to the skillet. Toss gently to combine and warm through
08 - Remove from heat. Add parsley, mint, and lemon juice. Toss well and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • Vibrant and colorful presentation using fresh, seasonal roasted vegetables.
  • Nutrient-dense, naturally gluten-free, and dairy-free ingredients.
  • Quick to prepare in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
02 -
  • Letting the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking is the secret to achieving a light and fluffy texture.
  • Use a large enough baking sheet for the vegetables so they roast properly rather than steaming.
  • The addition of fresh lemon juice at the end provides a bright acidity that balances the earthy tones of the cumin and quinoa.
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