Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad
A wholesome baked chickpea and quinoa salad infused with Mediterranean flavors, featuring roasted vegetables and fresh herbs. This mediterranean-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed quinoa, water, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 330 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced zucchini
- 1 small, diced red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup pitted and sliced (optional) kalamata olives
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss 1 can drained chickpeas, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced medium zucchini, and 1 small diced red onion with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin. Spread in an even layer.
- Step 3: Roast vegetables and chickpeas in the oven for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted vegetables and chickpeas, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1/3 cup sliced kalamata olives if using. Toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and lemon juice if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature as a filling vegan main or side salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea and Quinoa Salad vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.