
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.
Free on iPhone · servings scaled, grocery list written for you.
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
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Ingredients for 2, 4 and 6 servings
| Ingredient | 2 servings | 4 servings | 6 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| baby spinach | 1 (5 oz) pkg | 2 (5 oz) pkgs | 3 (5 oz) pkgs |
| chicken or vegetable broth | 8 fl oz | 16 fl oz | 24 fl oz |
| eggplant | ½ | 1 | 1 ½ |
| fresh basil | ½ small pkg | 1 small pkg | 1 small pkg |
| frozen corn | ½ cup | 1 cup | 1 ½ cups |
| garlic | 2 cloves | 4 cloves | 6 cloves |
| Parmesan cheese | 2 oz | 4 oz | 6 oz |
| quinoa | ½ cup | 1 cup | 1 ½ cups |
| red bell pepper | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| red onion | ½ medium | 1 medium | 1 ½ medium |
| tomatoes | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| tomato sauce | 1 ½ (8 oz) cans | 3 (8 oz) cans | 4 ½ (8 oz) cans |
| zucchini squash | 1 medium | 2 medium | 3 medium |
Quantities in US units. Any other household size: MealPot scales the recipe and the grocery list for you.
Directions
- Cook the quinoa in broth in a small saucepan until tender, then keep it covered off heat for 5 minutes.
- While the quinoa cooks, wash and dry the produce; pat spinach dry if it isn’t pre-washed.
- Dice the eggplant and toss with salt in a medium bowl; let it sit briefly.
- Dice tomatoes and place them in a large bowl.
- Seed and dice the bell peppers and add to the same bowl with the tomatoes.
- Dice the zucchini and add it to the bowl with the other vegetables.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and prepare to cook.
- Peel and mince the onion and garlic.
- 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.
- 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.
- Finely grate the Parmesan.
- Roll the basil leaves, then slice into ribbons.
- 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.
- 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.