35+ BEST Quinoa Recipes for Dinner: Easy & Healthy

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!

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!

The BEST Quinoa Recipes

Bowl of creamy quinoa soup with spoon.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
This Roasted Squash Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing 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 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.
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.
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.
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 are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts. They're packed with fiber, protein and absolutely delicious!
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A quick and easy gluten free enchilada casserole full of spices, cheese, and nutrient-rich quinoa.
Get the RECIPE from Fresh April Flours
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
A simple and healthy Asian quinoa salad recipe with cabbage, edamame, carrots, cucumber, red pepper, cilantro, sesame seeds, and a ginger soy dressing. You’ll love this quinoa edamame salad and so will the kids.
Get the RECIPE from Two Peas and Their Pod
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
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
Loaded Greek Quinoa Salad – healthy, easy, satisfying and delicious – salad done right!
Get the RECIPE from halfbakedharvest.com
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
The best EVER Thai Style Quinoa Salad recipe tossed with sesame ginger dressing. Vegan & Gluten free.
Get the RECIPE from Foolproof Living
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
A simple, cheesy Caprese Quinoa Casserole Recipe loaded with turkey, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
Get the RECIPE from Weary Chef
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
This Tex Mex Quinoa Casserole is delicious, healthy and easy to make.
Get the RECIPE from Eat Good 4 Life
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

🕕 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

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Bowl of creamy quinoa soup with spoon.

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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Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

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.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

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

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