Arugula Pesto Bowl (Printable)

Peppery arugula pesto coats roasted vegetables and quinoa in this vibrant, nourishing bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, uncooked and rinsed
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 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 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Arugula Pesto

09 - 2 cups fresh arugula, packed
10 - 1/4 cup walnuts or pine nuts
11 - 1 clove garlic
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 cup olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Assembly

16 - 2 cups fresh arugula
17 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
18 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, optional
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. 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 to 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The peppery arugula pesto wakes up every bite without overpowering the roasted vegetables.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled in minutes when youre actually hungry.
  • Its filling enough to feel like a real meal but light enough that you wont need a nap after.
  • The leftovers taste even better the next day once the flavors soak into the quinoa.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the quinoa or youll end up with a bitter, soapy taste that no amount of pesto can fix.
  • Make the pesto while the vegetables roast so everything finishes at the same time and you can eat it warm.
  • If the pesto feels too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of water or extra lemon juice instead of more oil.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts before blending them into the pesto, it deepens the flavor and makes the whole thing taste richer.
  • Use a mix of arugula and spinach if straight arugula feels too peppery, it mellows the bite without losing the green freshness.
  • Drizzle a little extra lemon juice over the finished bowls right before serving, the acidity brightens everything and makes it taste more alive.
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