Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Printable Version)

Fluffy quinoa mixed with roasted seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs for a nutritious meal.

# What You 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 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Herbs & Finish

14 - ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (optional)
16 - Juice of ½ lemon

# How-to Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
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 20–25 minutes, stirring once, 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.
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 (if using), and lemon juice. Toss well and adjust seasoning as needed.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted vegetables develop a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the earthy quinoa
  • It works warm for dinner or at room temperature for tomorrow is lunch
  • You can swap in whatever vegetables are in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the quinoa or it will have a bitter, soapy taste that no amount of seasoning can fix
  • The vegetables shrink significantly while roasting, so do not be afraid to pile them on the baking sheet
  • Letting the quinoa rest off the heat is crucial for achieving that fluffy texture
03 -
  • Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet so they roast instead of steam
  • Use a microplane to zest the lemon before juicing it and save the zest for another use
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