Recipe

This Vegetable Pesto Quinoa Tastes Like a Deconstructed Caprese Pizza

By Jody Brimacombe at University of St. Andrews

Confession: this recipe was a total accident. I attempted to make quinoa crust pizza, ended up failing (what do you mean you can't broil the crust in the oven?), and I wound up scraping all of the ingredients into a bowl. I was one bite in when I realized my epic discovery. My point is that this pesto quinoa had humble beginnings- but don't let that fool you. I know a winner when I see one.

With the pesto, tomatoes, and balsamic reduction, this quinoa tastes like a caprese pizza. However, there's none of the added baddies. Instead, quinoa packs a serious protein punch and contains plenty of vitamins and fiber. Just in case you need another reason to enjoy this bowl of pesto-y goodness.

Vegetable Pesto Quinoa

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1/2 small white onion
  • 1 cup mushrooms
  • 3/4 cup grape tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
  • Pinch salt
  • Balsamic reduction

Jody Brimacombe

Step 1

Prepare quinoa according to package directions.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 2

Using a sharp knife, finely chop the onion and mushroom into thin strips.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 3

In a small frying pan, sauté the mushrooms and onion in oil over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, or until the onion turns translucent.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 4

In a blender, combine the pine nuts, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth.

#SpoonTip: Try blending over a low speed, as the pesto tends to stick to the sides of the blender when put on high-speed.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 5

Mix the pesto into the quinoa using a spoon.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 6

Using a sharp knife, chop each grape tomato in half.

Jody Brimacombe

Step 7

Serve the pesto quinoa on two plates, topping it with the fried mushrooms, onions, and grape tomatoes. Drizzle with balsamic reduction to finish.

Jody Brimacombe

For a dish gone terribly wrong, this pesto quinoa is pretty epic. With the juicy tomatoes, grainy quinoa, and the sweet tartness of the balsamic reduction, this quinoa gives traditional Caprese pizza a run for its money.