As we have recently seen, Perdita Weeks shared her daily routine with her fans, and she says she loves quinoa and prepared a quinoa salad and quinoa pasta for her dinner.
Therefore, we were inspired to bring you some quinoa pasta recipes (with various sauce options), as well as some quinoa-based sauces. Additionally, we have also brought some quinoa salad recipes with ingredients such as asparagus, pine nuts, cucumber (the same ones she used in her salad, but with different preparations). Remembering that Perdita doesn’t eat meat, so the recipes are basically vegetarian. Quinoa is a nutritious and delicious addition to any diet. Its high protein and fiber content, gluten-free nature, low glycemic index, and rich nutrient profile make it an ideal food for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being. We wrote more about its benefits at the end of the article.
So, if you try it, would you let us know what did you think?
Quinoa salad with asparagus, pine nuts, and cucumber
- Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Pine Nuts, and Cucumber
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- Cut 1 pound of asparagus into bite-sized pieces and sauté in olive oil until tender.
- Toast 1/2 cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
- Chop 1 cucumber into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, asparagus, pine nuts, and cucumber.
- Dress the salad with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Quinoa Salad with Roasted Asparagus, Pine Nuts, and Cucumber
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Toss 1 pound of asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast for 10-12 minutes until tender.
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- Toast 1/2 cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
- Chop 1 cucumber into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, roasted asparagus, pine nuts, and cucumber.
- Dress the salad with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Quinoa Salad with Grilled Asparagus, Pine Nuts, and Cucumber
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush 1 pound of asparagus with olive oil and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until tender and slightly charred.
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- Toast 1/2 cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
- Chop 1 cucumber into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, grilled asparagus, pine nuts, and cucumber.
- Dress the salad with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
Quinoa Pasta
Veggie Quinoa Pasta
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. quinoa pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1 small yellow squash, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the quinoa pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, and minced garlic to the skillet.
- Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until they are tender and lightly browned.
- Add the cooked quinoa pasta to the skillet with the vegetables and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle with the chopped fresh basil and crumbled feta cheese (if using).
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Quinoa Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil
- Cook 8 oz. of quinoa spaghetti according to package instructions and drain.
- In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the cooked quinoa spaghetti to the pan and toss with the garlic and olive oil.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Quinoa Penne with Roasted Vegetables
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 chopped yellow bell pepper, 1 chopped zucchini, and 1 chopped onion with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and spread out on a baking sheet.
- Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until tender and lightly charred.
- Cook 8 oz. of quinoa penne according to package instructions and drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa penne with the roasted vegetables.
- Drizzle with a little more olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot or cold.
Quinoa Fusilli with Tomato and Basil Sauce
- Cook 8 oz. of quinoa fusilli according to package instructions and drain.
- In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup of vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked quinoa fusilli to the tomato sauce and toss to combine.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese.
A few suggestions for cooking a quinoa pasta veggie:
Roast your veggies: Roasting vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes before adding them to your quinoa pasta can add an extra depth of flavor to your dish.
Use a variety of vegetables: Mix it up with a variety of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and spinach to add more texture and nutrients to your dish.
Add a protein: Quinoa pasta pairs well with proteins like grilled chicken (if you are not veggie), shrimp (if you are not veggie), or tofu. Adding a protein can make your dish more filling and satisfying.
Use a flavorful sauce: Try using a flavorful sauce like a creamy pesto, tomato and basil sauce, or a lemon and garlic sauce to add more flavor to your quinoa pasta.
Add some crunch: Add some crunch to your dish by tossing in some chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, or some toasted breadcrumbs. This can add a nice texture and flavor to your dish.
Top it off with some cheese: Adding some grated Parmesan, feta, or goat cheese can add a nice salty and creamy element to your dish.
Bonus: pasta with quinoa sauce
Creamy Quinoa Pasta Sauce
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the cooked quinoa with 1/2 cup of vegetable broth, 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Cook your preferred pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- In a saucepan, heat the quinoa sauce over medium heat until warmed through.
- Serve the pasta topped with the quinoa sauce and garnish with chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil.
Tomato and Quinoa Pasta Sauce
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup of vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add the cooked quinoa to the tomato sauce and stir to combine.
- Cook your preferred pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- Serve the pasta topped with the tomato and quinoa sauce and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
Pesto Quinoa Pasta Sauce
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and let cool.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the cooked quinoa with 1/2 cup of basil pesto, 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Cook your preferred pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- In a saucepan, heat the quinoa sauce over medium heat until warmed through.
- Serve the pasta topped with the pesto quinoa sauce and garnish with toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan cheese.
Quinoa Alfredo Pasta
- Cook 1 cup of quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
- Cook 1 pound of pasta according to package instructions and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- In a blender, puree the cooked quinoa with 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the quinoa sauce and the reserved pasta water and stir until well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Here are some of the top benefits of incorporating quinoa into your diet: firstly, quinoa is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies need. This makes it an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans who may struggle to get enough protein from plant-based sources. In addition to its protein content, quinoa is also rich in fiber, which can help improve digestion, promote regularity, and keep you feeling full for longer periods. This makes it an ideal food for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. It is also low on the glycemic index, meaning it does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels after consumption. This makes it a great option for those with diabetes or anyone looking to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Quinoa is also packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are essential for various bodily functions such as energy production, bone health, and immune system function. It is also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect against disease and promote overall health. Lastly, quinoa is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes such as salads, soups, and stews. It can also be used as a substitute for rice or pasta in many recipes. This makes it an easy food to incorporate into your diet in a variety of ways. Overall, quinoa is a nutritious and delicious addition to any diet. Its high protein and fiber content, gluten-free nature, low glycemic index, and rich nutrient profile make it an ideal food for anyone looking to improve their health and well-being.