Grain Bowl with Roasted Vegetables (Printable)
Tender roasted vegetables atop hearty grains with creamy tahini dressing for a wholesome, colorful meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa (or brown rice, farro, or barley)
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth
→ Roasted Vegetables
03 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 zucchini, sliced
06 - 1 cup broccoli florets
07 - 1 red onion, sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings
12 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
13 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan)
14 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
→ Tahini Dressing
15 - 2 tablespoons tahini
16 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
18 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
19 - 2-3 tablespoons water (to thin)
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - Toss the sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli, and red onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Roast vegetables for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized at the edges.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, water, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust water as needed for desired consistency.
06 - Divide the cooked grains among four bowls. Arrange roasted vegetables over the grains. Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds, crumbled feta cheese if using, and fresh chopped herbs. Drizzle generously with tahini dressing.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The tahini dressing alone is worth making this, and it keeps in the fridge for days to drizzle over anything else you cook.
- It genuinely adapts to every season, so you never get bored and never waste leftover vegetables.
02 -
- Crowding the baking sheet is the number one mistake, because steamed vegetables will never give you those crispy caramelized edges that make this bowl memorable.
- Tahini behaves differently depending on the brand, so adjust water gradually and taste as you go until the dressing feels right.
03 -
- Toss the pumpkin seeds in the dry pan while the oven is preheating so you never forget to toast them.
- A squeeze of extra lemon juice over the finished bowl right before eating wakes up every single flavor.