Warm Quinoa Root Vegetables (Printable)
Nutty quinoa paired with caramelized root vegetables, tangy feta, and pumpkin seeds for a warm, vibrant dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth
→ Root Vegetables
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 medium parsnips, peeled and diced
05 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
06 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad Additions
11 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
12 - 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and red onion with olive oil, dried thyme, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
03 - Spread the seasoned vegetables evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - While vegetables roast, combine quinoa and water or vegetable broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - In a large serving bowl, combine warm quinoa, roasted vegetables, crumbled feta, toasted pumpkin seeds, and chopped parsley. Drizzle dressing over and toss gently to combine.
07 - Serve the salad warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
- Warm vegetables and creamy feta create this perfect balance of comfort and brightness that works any time of year.
- You can make it ahead and it's somehow even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep without any fussiness.
02 -
- Rinse your quinoa before cooking or it tastes bitter and slightly soapy—this single step changes whether people actually enjoy eating it.
- Don't skip the halfway stir when roasting; it's the difference between some vegetables being tender while others are hard.
- Mix the warm vegetables with the dressing while everything is still warm so the quinoa actually absorbs flavor instead of sitting on top.
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables roughly the same size so they roast evenly and finish at the same time—uneven pieces lead to some being raw and others burnt.
- If your oven runs hot or cool, check the vegetables a few minutes earlier or later than the recipe suggests; doneness matters more than the exact time on the timer.