Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa tossed with golden roasted vegetables, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs for a colorful, nourishing 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 & 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 (optional)
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# How To Make It:

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 20–25 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 this natural sweetness that balances perfectly with the earthy quinoa and aromatic spices
  • Its one of those rare dishes that tastes just as good at room temperature as it does piping hot, making it perfect for meal prep or picnics
02 -
  • Rinsing quinoa thoroughly is non-negotiable. I once skipped this step and ended up with a bitter, soapy-tasting dish that nobody would eat
  • Do not overcrowd the baking sheet or your vegetables will steam instead of roast. When in doubt, use two pans or roast in batches
03 -
  • Leftover pilaf makes an excellent base for grain bowls, frittatas, or even as a filling for stuffed peppers
  • If you want to add more protein, chickpeas or white beans work beautifully and can be tossed in with the vegetables during the last 10 minutes of roasting
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