Melrose Place's Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad
A refreshing, nutrient-packed salad with quinoa, roasted vegetables, and a zesty herb vinaigrette for a healthy yet indulgent meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 55 minutes pairs quinoa, head broccoli, medium carrots into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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
- 1 head broccoli
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 small red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup, chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1 cup quinoa with 1 tbsp olive oil and roast for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Cut broccoli into florets and carrots into 1/4-inch slices. Thinly slice red onion. Roast vegetables alongside quinoa for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp fresh dill until emulsified.
- Step 4: Toss roasted quinoa, vegetables, and 1/2 cup crumbled feta with the dressing. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts and additional dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Melrose Place's Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Melrose Place's Herb-Infused 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 quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Melrose Place's Herb-Infused 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 Melrose Place's Herb-Infused 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.
What goes well with Melrose Place's Herb-Infused Quinoa Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.