Versatile, nutty, and filling, quinoa, the little pseudograin that could, is a modern-grain pantry staple. Swap it out for rice [1] as a neutral side for meat or vegetables, or try one of these versatile recipes ranging from quinoa-stuffed tomatoes, to a cheesy enchilada-inspired casserole, to a rainbow-bright, veggie-packed salad.
Curried Coconut Quinoa With Roasted Cauliflower and Greens
Indian flavors like coconut milk, curry powder, and other warm spices round out a bowl of quinoa, greens, and roasted cauliflower [2].
Quinoa Casserole
It doesn't get much more comforting than this quinoa, broccoli, cheddar, and chicken casserole [3].
Rainbow Quinoa Salad With Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette
A rainbow in a bowl, this citrus quinoa dish [4] incorporates plenty of fresh produce. Prepare to make your co-workers jealous when you bust this out at lunch.
Chai-Spiced Breakfast Porridge
Mix up your breakfast routine with warmly spiced quinoa porridge [5].
Quinoa Mason Jar Salad With Sweet Potatoes
Add this quinoa mason jar salad [6] with sweet potatoes and a Thai-style dressing to your lunch rotation.
Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad
If you like pad thai, then you'll love this Thai-influenced quinoa recipe [7]. It contains all of the best elements of the classic dish, such as peanuts, cilantro, and bean sprouts, with a fun twist: it substitutes quinoa for rice noodles.
Quinoa Chili
Instead of beef, chicken, or turkey, this loaded chili is bulked up with quinoa [8] for a vegetarian-friendly recipe.
Guacamole Quinoa With Mango
Spicy, fruity, and fresh, guacamole quinoa [9] is like a lunch-friendly spin on chips and guac.
Quinoa and Chickpea Veggie Burgers
Similar in flavor and preparation to falafel but lighter (they're not deep-fried), these chickpea and quinoa veggie burgers [10] take well to Mediterranean toppings like pickled red onions and a tahini sauce.
Sticky Glazed Meatballs With Cauliflower Quinoa Pilaf
Sticky pomegranate-molasses-glazed meatballs pair perfectly with a pilaf made out of cauliflower rice and quinoa [11].
Ribboned Asparagus and Quinoa Salad
Combine willowy ribboned asparagus with crunchy pine nuts, nutty quinoa, and umami-rich parmesan for a salad that brings the textural and flavor contrast [12].
Quinoa Salad With Cherries and Feta
Come cherry season, this is our go-to backyard-barbecue contribution [13]; it's crowd-pleasing, can sit out at room temperature for hours, and is easy to scale up.
Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
This cheesy vegetable-packed quinoa casserole [14] captures the flavors of enchiladas without the fussy rolling of tortillas.
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Instead of bulgur, this version of tabbouleh [15] is made with quinoa.
Asian Quinoa Meatballs
Instead of breadcrumbs or a panade, these turkey meatballs are bound with an egg and cooked quinoa [16] before being sauced in a spicy Asian glaze.
Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Quinoa Salad
Less a recipe and more a template for a killer quinoa salad [17], this recipe will steer you in the right direction.
Garlic Mushroom Quinoa
You'll love the versatility of garlic mushroom quinoa [18]. As is, it's a solid, hearty side; add a poached egg atop each portion, and it's a meal in its own right.
Mediterranean Stuffed Tomatoes With Quinoa
For an updated take on stuffed tomatoes, fill them with quinoa, feta, artichokes, and olives [19].