Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl
A vibrant, nutrient-packed bowl featuring fluffy quinoa, roasted seasonal vegetables, and a bright lemon-dill dressing with zero added sugar. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs quinoa, vegetable broth, medium 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 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 quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 cup diced zucchini, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: Combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups vegetable broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 3: Fluff quinoa with a fork and transfer to a bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup of the roasted vegetables, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice (from 1 lemon), 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped dill. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl?
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 quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl?
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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl 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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Quinoa Power Bowl vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
