A Mediterranean-inspired quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables and a bright red pepper sauce. It’s a balanced, feel-good meal you can serve for lunch or dinner without complicated prep.
Prep Time15 min
Cook Time25 min
Servings2 people
DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
For the Bowl:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Red Pepper Sauce:
2 large red bell peppers, roasted
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 tablespoons water (as needed)
Instructions
Prepare the quinoa: Rinse quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Roast the vegetables: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
Make the red pepper sauce: If using fresh peppers, roast them until charred, then peel and seed. In a food processor, combine roasted red peppers, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, and cumin. Process until smooth, adding water as needed to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble the bowls: Divide cooked quinoa between two bowls. Top with roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Drizzle generously with red pepper sauce.
Finish and serve: Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm, with extra red pepper sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Calories485
Protein18g
Carbs62g
Fat18g
Fiber8g
Sugar12g
Nutrition values are estimates per serving.
Chef's Tips
Make Ahead: Cook quinoa and roast vegetables up to 3 days in advance. Store separately and assemble when ready to serve.
Substitutions: Try bulgur or brown rice instead of quinoa. Goat cheese works well in place of feta.
Storage: Assembled bowls keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add fresh herbs just before serving.