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35+ BEST Quinoa Recipes for Dinner

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 28, 2025

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Collage of quinoa recipes with text overlay - best quinoa recipes.

Looking for some great quinoa recipes? Here are 35+ easy and healthy recipes that use feature this yummy grain. Salad recipes, bowl recipes, soup recipes, and more!

Collage of quinoa recipes with text overlay - best quinoa recipes.

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Wondering the best ways to cook with quinoa?

There are so many great options.

Some of my favorite quinoa recipes are this Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup and these Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls.

But what else can be made with quinoa?

Here are 35+ of the best quinoa recipes to try out!

Our Favorite Easy Quinoa Recipes

Bowl of creamy quinoa soup with spoon.
Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup
This Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup is not only amazingly delicious, but it’s also packed with protein, fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants. 
Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup
Southwest Beef & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that's amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare.
Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa & Beef
These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Beef make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that's amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare.
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Quinoa topped with burrito bowl ingredients in white bowl with spoon.
Quinoa Taco Bowls
Quinoa Burrito Bowls with Guacamole make a quick and healthy vegetarian meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Quinoa Burrito Bowls
Overhead close up of quinoa salad in bowl.
Copycat Costco Quinoa Salad
Make this copycat Costco Quinoa Salad at home for a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad studded with fresh veggies and fresh lemon dressing.
Costco Quinoa Salad
Overhead shot of quinoa gyro bowl topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, next to bowl of tzatziki sauce.
Chicken Gyro Bowls
These Chicken Gyro Bowls with Tzatziki turn your favorite traditional Greek sandwich into a quick, healthy dinner.
Chicken Gyro Bowls with Tzatziki
Taco Quinoa & Turkey Lettuce Wraps make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that’s amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare. They’re perfect for meal prep too.
Taco Quinoa & Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These Taco Quinoa & Turkey Lettuce Wraps make a hearty, healthy, protein packed meal that’s amazingly delicious and quick and easy to prepare. They’re perfect for meal prep too.
Taco Quinoa & Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Close up of Quinoa Breakfast Cookies with Dark Chocolate chunks
Quinoa Breakfast Cookies with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt
These Quinoa Breakfast Cookies with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt are perfect for breakfasts on the go. Not only are they delicious, but they’re packed with protein, whole grains and fiber.
Quinoa Breakfast Cookies
Overhead shot of roasted cauliflower salad in grey bowl with spoon next to small bowl of tahini dressing.
Cauliflower Chickpea Salad
This Cauliflower Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing combines roasted cauliflower & chickpeas with fluffy quinoa and creamy avocados. It’s a healthy, protein-packed salad that can be made ahead of time. 
Cauliflower Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
PREPARED SQUASH SALAD IN BOWL.
Roasted Squash Salad
This Roasted Squash Salad with Crispy Chickpeas combines roasted butternut squash & chickpeas with fluffy quinoa and a dreamy, creamy maple tahini dressing. It’s a delicious and fresh  salad that can be made ahead of time.
Roasted Squash Salad with Quinoa
Overhead close up of baked zucchini boats.
Greek Stuffed Zucchini
Greek Stuffed Zucchini Boats come together in just 30-minutes. Stuffed with quinoa, feta, chickpeas, peppers and olives and flavored with lemon, garlic and oregano.
Greek Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Overhead shot of instant pot quinoa in white bowl with spoon.
Instant Pot Quinoa Recipe
With these easy tips, you’ll see it’s simple to cook perfect quinoa in the Instant Pot with minimal measuring. The result is fluffy and flavorful quinoa that’s super simple to prepare.
Instant Pot Quinoa
Overhead shot of prepared Jennifer Aniston Salad in green bowl.
Jennifer Aniston Salad
One bite of the viral Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad and you’ll be hooked! It was the actress’ top choice for lunch during her time on Friends for good reason – it’s easy to make, loaded with healthy grains and veggies, and perfect for meal prep.
Jennifer Aniston Quinoa Salad
Two hands holding assembled buddha bowl.
Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl
These Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls are topped with roasted sweet potatoes, peppers and chickpeas and drizzled with a tangy green mojo sauce. It's a healthy (vegetarian + vegan) dinner or lunch. 
Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls
Close up of blueberry breakfast cookies on cooling rack.
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Cookies are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts. They're packed with fiber, protein and absolutely delicious!
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
Overhead shot of Prepared asian quinoa salad in bowl with serving tongs.
Asian Quinoa Salad
This vibrant Asian Quinoa Salad has a colorful blend of fresh vegetables topped on a bed of fluffy quinoa. Dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, it’s a delicious and naturally vegan meal you can make for meal prep or a healthy dinner.
Asian Quinoa Salad
Overhead shot of power bowl next to small container of tahini dressing.
Power Bowl
Dig into this Vegan Power Bowl—a hearty and healthy meal brimming with fluffy quinoa, roasted vegetables, crispy chickpeas, and tahini sauce. Top it with your choice of healthy extras for a flavorful powerhouse of protein and fiber!
Power Bowl
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Quinoa and Black Bean salad is the perfect side dish or easy main dish. Bursting with fresh ingredients and a delicious homemade dressing.

Get the RECIPE from Confessions of a Fit Foodie
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Cheesy Pesto Broccoli Quinoa Casserole (Healthy, Vegetarian)
This healthy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Enjoy this gluten free, vegetarian casserole for dinner or make-ahead lunch.

Get the RECIPE from Dishing Out Health
Cheesy Pesto Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
One Pot Moroccan Quinoa (Vegan, Gluten Free)
One Pot Moroccan Quinoa is as easy and flavorful as it gets for streamlined weeknight cooking. Gluten free, vegan, and sure to become a favorite.

Get the RECIPE from Dishing Out Health
One Pot Moroccan Quinoa
Layered Quinoa Salad
Layered Quinoa Salad THE ULTIMATE make-ahead salad for entertaining! This Salad actually tastes better after spending a few hours in the fridge, so not only is it BEAUTIFUL, but it’s super convenient to serve guests.
Get the RECIPE from Clean Food Crush
Layered Quinoa Salad
One Pan Mexican Quinoa – Chelsea Young
This is a great dish to make for a big group when you don’t have a ton of time. Most ingredients you have on hand so you can make it at a moments notice if you need to!
Get the RECIPE from Chelsea J Young
One Pan Mexican Quinoa
Lemon Dill Quinoa Casserole | Vegan + Dump-and-Bake – From My Bowl
This dump-and-bake Lemon Dill Quinoa Casserole is bright, fresh, & so. dang. delicious. Plus you only need 10 ingredients to make it! Vegan & Gluten-Free.

Get the RECIPE from From My Bowl
Lemon Dill Quinoa Casserole
Spring Quinoa Salad with Shrimp
Spring quinoa salad with delicious cooked shrimp, crisp vegetables, and bright honey-lemon vinaigrette. It’s a satisfying meal-prep salad!

Get the RECIPE from Little Broken
Spring Quinoa Salad with Shrimp
Enchilada Quinoa Casserole
A quick and easy gluten free enchilada casserole full of spices, cheese, and nutrient-rich quinoa.

Get the RECIPE from Fresh April Flours
Enchilada Quinoa Casserole
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is fresh, bursting with flavor, healthy, and filling. Perfect for light lunches or meal prep!

Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Quinoa Cucumber Salad with Feta, Dill & Mint
This perky quinoa cucumber salad recipe gets crunch from cucumber and radish marinated in kicky lemon garlic vinaigrette and a fresh bouquet of dill and mint, all topped with briny feta.

Get the RECIPE from Bojon Gourmet
Quinoa Cucumber Salad with Feta, Dill & Mint
One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach Recipe
In this easy one-pot chicken recipe, chicken, quinoa, mushrooms and spinach nestle together for a healthy meal with minimal clean-up.
Get the RECIPE from Cookin Canuck
One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach
Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad.
Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad – healthy, easy, satisfying and delicious – salad done right!
Get the RECIPE from halfbakedharvest.com
Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad
Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole
This spinach artichoke quinoa casserole is packed with protein, tasty veggies, and a cheesy topping – a delicious meat-free meal that is as delicious as it is nourishing for your body.
Get the RECIPE from iFoodReal
Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Casserole
Thai Quinoa Salad
The best EVER Thai Style Quinoa Salad recipe tossed with sesame ginger dressing. Vegan & Gluten free.

Get the RECIPE from Foolproof Living
Thai Quinoa Salad
Vegetable Cauliflower Rice + Quinoa Sushi
An easy quinoa sushi recipe that combines cooked quinoa with roasted cauliflower rice, to create a light, healthy and delicious spin on a classic recipe.

Get the RECIPE from Simply Quinoa
Vegetable Cauliflower Rice + Quinoa Sushi
Caprese Quinoa Casserole Recipe – The Weary Chef
A simple, cheesy Caprese Quinoa Casserole Recipe loaded with turkey, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
Get the RECIPE from Weary Chef
Caprese Quinoa Casserole
Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad.
Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad: with a yummy herb dressing…a colorful, unique, flavorful, and beyond delicious summer salad!

Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Grilled Jalapeño Peach Quinoa Salad
Tex Mex Quinoa Casserole
This Tex Mex Quinoa Casserole is delicious, healthy and easy to make.
Get the RECIPE from Eat Good 4 Life
Tex Mex Quinoa Casserole
Mediterranean Quinoa Casserole – Making Thyme for Health
Mediterranean Quinoa Casserole- a healthy and flavorful vegetarian dinner made with baby spinach, cherry tomatoes and fresh dill.
Get the RECIPE from Making Thyme for Health
Mediterranean Quinoa Casserole

🕕 How to Make Ahead and Store

Leftover quinoa will keep well stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Or, you can freeze it for up to three months. I like to make a big batch and portion the quinoa into freezer bags to have on hand for when I’m needing some cooked quinoa 

ℹ️ Quinoa FAQs

How much water do I use for 1 cup of quinoa?

While I generally use 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water for stove top quinoa, in the Instant Pot, that ratio drops down to only 1 ½ cups of water for every cup of quinoa.

How do you make quinoa?

Bring quinoa and water to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit 5 minutes before fluffing & serving. Or, try my Instant Pot Quinoa for an even simpler method!

What are the health benefits of quinoa?

Quinoa is a complete protein that’s loaded with essential amino acids. It also has a low glycemic index.

Do you need to rinse quinoa?

Yes. This gets rid of the quinoa’s natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter. And although boxed quinoa is generally pre-rinsed, it doesn’t hurt to give the seeds an additional rinse. Just place it in a fine mesh strainer and run it under water until the water is clear.

More Pantry Staple Recipes

  • Vegetarian Quinoa Recipes
  • Cannellini Bean Recipes
  • Chickpea Recipes
  • Lentil Recipes
  • Canned Chicken Recipes
  • Canned Salmon Recipes

Did you try this any of these recipes with quinoa?

If you loved these easy quinoa recipes I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Collage of quinoa recipes with text overlay - best quinoa recipes.

Full Recipe

35+ BEST Ways to Cook with Quinoa

Looking for some of the best quinoa recipes for dinner? Here are 35+ easy and healthy recipes that use feature this yummy grain. Salad recipes, bowl recipes, soup recipes, and more! Try this Creamy Italian Quinoa Soup. It's not only amazingly delicious, but it’s also packed with protein, fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants. 
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Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ medium onion (diced)
  • 3 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 2 stalks celery (diced)
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 4 cups bone broth (chicken broth or vegetable stock (use more for a more brothy soup))
  • 1 15- ounce can chickpeas (drained & rinsed)
  • 1 1/4 cup quinoa (uncooked, rinsed well in a fine mesh colander)
  • 1 14.5- ounce can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 8- ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (coarsely chopped)
  • 1 ½ cups half and half (or heavy cream)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
  • Add stock, chickpeas, quinoa, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning to the pot and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20-25 minutes.
  • When ready to serve, stir in spinach and cream. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
  • Divide into bowls and top with grated Parmesan.

Notes

You can store this quinoa soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 664mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 6600IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 4.4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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