Gluten-Free Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

A vibrant quinoa salad tossed with roasted seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon dressing, perfect for a light lunch or side. This Mediterranean-inspired gluten-free recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium, diced zucchini
• 1 large, diced red bell pepper
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 medium diced zucchini, 1 large diced red bell pepper, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp salt on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the dressing.
4. Step 4: Add the roasted vegetables and cooked quinoa to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired before serving.