I made this quick and easy dinner the other night and I knew it would be one I needed to share. The original recipe is from toneitup.com, but I added my own little twist to it and Isaac and I loved how it turned out! I am a fan of quinoa (which my dad likes to call quin-oh-ah), and I have found it to be a great way to substitute rice or pasta in recipes when I’m craving something starchy. This dinner was filling and the basil gave it a fresh taste that I love.
I am a firm believer in eating protein throughout the day, because it helps keep me full and I know my body loves it! I try to switch up the types of protein I eat so I don’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over again… Which is easy to do, trust me. In a normal day, I usually have some variation of eggs, protein powder (or Shakeology when I can afford it), chicken, fish, venison, ground turkey or veggie burgers. On occasion I’ll have a steak or some lean beef, but I try to limit that to about once a week. For this meal, I crumbled a veggie burger over my quinoa bowl, and cooked some venison back strap for Isaac’s in our cast iron skillet. It was the perfect way to finish off the quinoa bowls, and I was so happy with how it turned out.
What is your favorite go-to protein in recipes?
Quinoa and Protein Pesto Bowl
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
3 cups chopped spinach
2 Tbsp chopped basil (fresh)
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz cooked protein of choice (we had a veggie patty and venison)
In a large bowl mix the quinoa, spinach, basil, garlic, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper together. Divide into two bowls and top with your protein of choice!
Eat hot, warm or cold.
This looks so delicious! Definitely something both my husband and I would love!
Thank you!! I hope you try it out… It was so easy and yummy!
Oh yummy, now If I could only get my hubby to eat quinoa with me…. lol
Well it’s taken mine some convincing to eat it, but he does now without complaining! I started by mixing it in with rice, so he could get used to the flavor and texture. :)
Yum! We love quinoa! Thank you!
You’re welcome! I love a good quinoa recipe too :)
This looks BOMB and something I’d totally eat for dinner all the time! YUM! PS – Did you use graphics for the arrows or did you use a graphic design tool? I love!
Hi Natalie!! Thanks… I know you’d love it! And I used graphics for the arrows. Just a bunch of free arrow vectors I downloaded a while ago! Makes it easy to use in Photoshop.
I’ve been looking for more healthy easy meals and this incorporates a few of my favorite elements! Can’t wait to try it one of these spring/summer nights when I want something lighter.
Awesome!! I know you’ll love it. It’s the perfect meal for warmer evenings for sure!
Yum! I had quinoa, chicken, veggies, and goat cheese the other night. I bet adding pesto to that would be amazing!
That sounds so good too! I’ll have to try making it with goat cheese next time.
I made my bowl a few nights ago and added some similar ingredients. (Great minds think alike). I was seriously surprised with how flavorful everything was. Great additions girlie!
I agree!! So yummy and I love that it’s easy and versatile so you can add different toppings each time.
I love quinoa and pesto so this looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you!! I’ve been on a pesto kick lately… I love adding it to everything!
You had me at Pesto. Pinned this one. Thanks!
Thank you!! I know you’ll love it. :)
Easy, healthy and delicious – my kind of recipe. This is truly a dish my entire family would love.
That’s great! I was impressed with how it turned out.
This looks delicious! I am certainly going to try it!
Yay! Thank you!
okay i have got to try this! wow it looks amazing!
Thank you! Let me know how it turns out!
This sounds and looks wonderful! Yum!
Thank you! :)
This looks really good. I would substitute the red meat for some chicken. Great combo of veggies and flavor! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a good idea! I know chicken would go very well in this bowl too.
This looks so tasty! I love your overhead shot. :)
Thank you!! I appreciate it! :)
Great overhead shot – so helpful! This looks so yummy and easy to accomplish. Can’t wait to try it.
Thank you!! I’m a sucker for those kinds of shots. Hope you like it!
YUM! This looks delicious!
Thank you!!
This looks delicious! I love meals where everything can be thrown into a bowl :-)
Me too!! Those are my new favorite dinners to make. I’m just too tired most nights to do any real cooking, so bowl it is!
This looks sooo delicious!!! And easy to make.
liz @ j for joiner
Thanks Liz!