Arugula Pesto Bowl (Printable)

Nourishing bowl with zesty arugula pesto, roasted vegetables, and quinoa

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, uncooked and rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Arugula Pesto

09 - 2 cups fresh arugula, packed
10 - ¼ cup walnuts or pine nuts
11 - 1 clove garlic
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - ½ cup olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
15 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Assembly

16 - 2 cups fresh arugula
17 - ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
18 - ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Combine quinoa, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Toss cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red bell pepper with olive oil and black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
04 - In a food processor, blend arugula, walnuts or pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. With the motor running, drizzle in olive oil and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted vegetables, and half the arugula pesto. Toss gently to coat.
06 - Divide fresh arugula among serving bowls. Top with the quinoa-vegetable mixture. Drizzle with remaining pesto.
07 - Garnish with shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and extra black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with protein from quinoa and fiber from a variety of fresh vegetables.
  • Zesty Pesto: The homemade arugula pesto provides a unique, peppery twist on the classic basil version.
  • Easy Preparation: With only 20 minutes of active prep time, it is an ideal healthy weeknight dinner option.
02 -
  • Rinse Quinoa: Always rinse uncooked quinoa to remove its natural bitter coating (saponin).
  • Toast Nuts: Briefly toast your walnuts or pine nuts in a dry skillet before blending them into the pesto for a deeper, nuttier aroma.
  • Fresh Garnish: Add the fresh arugula to the bowls just before serving to maintain its crisp texture.
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