Warm Quinoa Sweet Potato (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa meets caramelized sweet potatoes in this vibrant, nourishing bowl with fresh herbs and vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 1 small red onion, sliced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
06 - 2 cups water

→ Fresh Herbs & Greens

07 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 cups baby spinach

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

15 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
16 - 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss sweet potato cubes and red onion slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until sweet potatoes are tender and slightly caramelized.
03 - While vegetables roast, combine quinoa and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
05 - Add cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potato, red onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and baby spinach to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer to serving plates. Top with crumbled feta and pumpkin seeds, if using. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms simple ingredients into something that feels luxurious and thoughtful
  • The warm and cool element combination makes every bite interesting
02 -
  • Overcrowding the baking sheet during roasting will steam the sweet potatoes instead of caramelizing them
  • Letting the quinoa rest covered for those 5 minutes after cooking is non-negotiable for the right texture
03 -
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent those precious caramelized juices from burning onto the bottom of your oven
  • Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding to really amp up their nutty flavor