Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa tossed with golden roasted vegetables and aromatic herbs creates this vibrant, satisfying dish perfect for any meal.

# 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 and Seasonings

09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Herbs and Finish

14 - 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, optional
16 - Juice of 0.5 lemon

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat 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 to 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, approximately 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's the kind of dish that tastes impressive but won't stress you out, especially on nights when cooking feels like a chore.
  • Every vegetable stays distinct and colorful, which means your plate is as much a feast for your eyes as your stomach.
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors settle, making it perfect for meal prep without the sad lunch vibe.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the quinoa, it's the one step that actually changes the flavor noticeably and takes less than a minute.
  • The vegetables need to be roughly the same size so they roast at the same pace and nothing ends up burnt or undercooked.
  • Lemon juice is your final insurance policy that everything tastes bright and intentional instead of flat and heavy.
03 -
  • Don't chop your vegetables too small or they'll turn to mush during roasting, and don't leave them too large or they'll still be firm when everything else is done.
  • This dish tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle together, making it one of the few leftovers that actually feel like an upgrade.
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