Arugula Pesto Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant grain bowl with zesty arugula pesto, roasted veggies, and quinoa.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, uncooked, 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, optional
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, 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 until combined. With motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted vegetables, and half of the arugula pesto. Toss gently to evenly coat.
06 - Divide fresh arugula among four serving bowls. Top each with the quinoa-vegetable mixture. Drizzle remaining pesto over the top.
07 - Top each bowl with shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts if desired, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Fresh and Zesty: The homemade arugula pesto provides a bright, peppery flavor that far surpasses store-bought alternatives.
  • Texture-Rich: A perfect combination of fluffy quinoa, tender roasted zucchini, and crunchy toasted pine nuts.
  • Versatile: Easy to customize with different grains or proteins to suit your dietary needs.
02 -
  • Allergen Awareness: This recipe contains milk (Parmesan) and tree nuts (walnuts or pine nuts); always check ingredient labels carefully.
  • Toasting for Flavor: If using pine nuts for the garnish, toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden for an extra depth of flavor.
  • Pesto Storage: Leftover pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent browning.
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