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Quinoa "Risotto" with Garden Veggies, Basil & Parmesan, plated

Vegetarian · Italian · 30 min

Quinoa "Risotto" with Garden Veggies, Basil & Parmesan

  • 30 min
  • 2–6 servings
  • 615 kcal / serving

This quinoa-based skillet blends tender vegetables with a softly chewy grain and a light cheese finish. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making a satisfying weeknight dish that comes together in one pan and uses bright garden flavors.

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Skillets & Sautés · Italian · Vegetarian · 30-minute dinner

Ingredients

  • 1 (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
  • 8 fl ozchicken or vegetable broth
  • ½eggplant
  • ½ small pkgfresh basil
  • ½ cupfrozen corn
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • 2 ozParmesan cheese
  • ½ cupquinoa
  • 1red bell pepper
  • ½ mediumred onion
  • 3tomatoes
  • 1 ½ (8 oz) canstomato sauce
  • 1 mediumzucchini squash
  • red bell peppers
  • eggplants
  • red onions

From the pantry: extra virgin olive oil, salt

Cookware

chef's knife · cutting board · garlic press (optional) · grater · measuring cups · measuring spoons · mixing bowls · nonstick skillet · small saucepan · stirring spoon

Kitchen help: cups to grams · tablespoons to cups · oven temperatures · butter conversions · what each cooking tool is for · ingredient substitutes

More recipes with: quinoa · zucchini

More dinner ideas: easy dinners

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Produce

  • 1 (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
  • ½eggplant
  • ½ small pkgfresh basil
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • 1red bell pepper
  • ½ mediumred onion
  • 3tomatoes
  • 1 mediumzucchini squash
  • red bell peppers
  • eggplants
  • red onions

Dairy, eggs & chilled

  • 2 ozParmesan cheese

Frozen

  • ½ cupfrozen corn

Pantry & dry goods

  • 8 fl ozchicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ cupquinoa
  • 1 ½ (8 oz) canstomato sauce

4 aisles for this recipe. Plan a week in MealPot and it merges every dinner into one list in this order, scaled to your household.

Ingredients for 2, 4 and 6 servings

Ingredient2 servings4 servings6 servings
baby spinach1 (5 oz) pkg2 (5 oz) pkgs3 (5 oz) pkgs
chicken or vegetable broth8 fl oz16 fl oz24 fl oz
eggplant½11 ½
fresh basil½ small pkg1 small pkg1 small pkg
frozen corn½ cup1 cup1 ½ cups
garlic2 cloves4 cloves6 cloves
Parmesan cheese2 oz4 oz6 oz
quinoa½ cup1 cup1 ½ cups
red bell pepper123
red onion½ medium1 medium1 ½ medium
tomatoes369
tomato sauce1 ½ (8 oz) cans3 (8 oz) cans4 ½ (8 oz) cans
zucchini squash1 medium2 medium3 medium

Quantities in US units. Any other household size: MealPot scales the recipe and the grocery list for you.

Directions

  1. Cook the quinoa in broth in a small saucepan until tender, then keep it covered off heat for 5 minutes.
  2. While the quinoa cooks, wash and dry the produce; pat spinach dry if it isn’t pre-washed.
  3. Dice the eggplant and toss with salt in a medium bowl; let it sit briefly.
  4. Dice tomatoes and place them in a large bowl.
  5. Seed and dice the bell peppers and add to the same bowl with the tomatoes.
  6. Dice the zucchini and add it to the bowl with the other vegetables.
  7. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and prepare to cook.
  8. Peel and mince the onion and garlic.
  9. When the skillet is hot, add a drizzle of oil and swirl to coat the bottom; then add the onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, 2–3 minutes.
  10. Squeeze the eggplant to remove excess moisture, then add it to the skillet along with the other vegetables, corn, tomato sauce, and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 12–14 minutes.
  11. Finely grate the Parmesan.
  12. Roll the basil leaves, then slice into ribbons.
  13. Add spinach to the skillet in batches, waiting for each handful to wilt before the next; stir in the cooked quinoa and half of the Parmesan until combined.
  14. Divide the mixture into bowls and garnish with the remaining Parmesan and basil.

Two tips

  • Make ahead: cook the quinoa and chop the vegetables up to step 6, then refrigerate separately for quicker assembly later.
  • Serving idea: finish with a little extra Parmesan and a few fresh basil ribbons for a brighter finish.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
615 kcal
Protein
29 g
Carbs
74 g
Fat
27 g
Fiber
18 g
Sodium
141 mg

Estimates from the recipe's published nutrition data; they change with the version you pick above.

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Ingredient quantities, timing and nutrition follow the original Mealime recipe ↗ (captured 2026-09-12). The photo is MealPot's AI-rendered illustration of the finished dish; the description, directions, aisle list and serving table are MealPot's.

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