Arugula Pesto Bowl (Printable)

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

# 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, minced
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 cup olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh 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

# How to Make It:

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 or 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 cheese. With the motor running, drizzle in olive oil and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt.
05 - In a large mixing 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 cheese, toasted pine nuts, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means lunch that actually tastes like you tried without sacrificing your afternoon.
  • The arugula pesto is herbaceous and peppery enough to make simple roasted vegetables taste restaurant-quality.
  • It stays fresh in the fridge for three days, making meal prep feel less like a chore and more like future-you getting a gift.
02 -
  • Don't make the pesto more than a few hours ahead or the arugula will oxidize and turn brown-tinged, which tastes fine but looks sad.
  • If your pesto seems too thick when you're done, thin it with another drizzle of olive oil or a splash of lemon juice rather than water, which will just dilute the flavor.
03 -
  • If you're roasting vegetables and they seem to be coloring too fast, lower the oven temperature to 375°F and give them an extra few minutes—burnt edges are nice, but burnt everything is a waste.
  • Toast your own pine nuts in a dry pan for two minutes if you buy them raw; the difference between good and okay is really just that five minutes of your time.
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